Normally Danny didn't mind field trips. Especially when they happened during normal school hours and meant he got out of going to all of his other classes, then those field trips were great!

The kind he didn't like were the ones that went to really boring places, for really stupid reasons, at 6 am on a Saturday! These were the field trips that drove him up the wall! Add that to the fact that he was up until 4 am the night before getting only 1 hour of precious, beautiful, wonderful sleep, well to put it lightly, it wasn't pleasant.

With Danny's luck it was the later of the two that he was forced to endure. It turns out there was a rather big assignment about some classic old western book, and Danny didn't read a single page. He meant to, really he did, but ghost hunting and a tad bit of procrastination. But when you fall asleep upon hearing the title how can you muster the effort in opening the thing?

To make up for failing that there was an extra credit field trip to a local ghost town tourist trap, and anyone getting lower than a C was strongly urged to take the trip. In other words he had to go, or else.

What made it even worse was that Sam & Tucker weren't going to suffer through this with him. They were actually doing pretty well in the class and had even done the reading. The more he thought about it, they had been reminding him to do it too. Maybe he should have listened? Danny shrugged it off, live and learn.

Hmmm, did that really apply to him? Half-live and learn? Or half-live and half-learn? Wait no, that sounded dumb. He shook his head trying to clear his mind. He was suppose to be using this bus ride as a much needed nap, not a time for thinking.

Sam was right though, with him away they needed to have somebody to watch the town in case any ghosts got lose. And hey, maybe this would be a little day off for once?

He should stop expecting good things to happen to him. They never do.

"Giddy-up Fenton the kid, we're here!" Dash shouted rudely right into the sleeping boy's ear.

Danny shot up in his seat standing the in best fighting stance he could on a bus before the words registered in his brain. Once he remembered where he was, his shoulders slumped and he glared at Dash feeling his ghostly energy burn and not exactly caring.

Before Danny could even think of a retort Mr. Lancer stood up at the front of the bus, coffee thermos in tow, and addressed the small group of students, "As Mr. Baxter clearly pointed out we have arrived. Because it's late in the season the town of Banshee Hills -"

"Like, why'd they call it that? Were they planning on it being a ghost town?" Star interrupted.

Lancer let out a deep sigh of mild frustration, "No Country for Old Men, kids! No, no one goes through the trouble of making a town just to abandon it. This is what the term 'Ghost Town' refers to, a town that has been abandoned."

It was then Dashes turn to interrupt, "So does that make Amity a ghost town? Cuz it's all haunted and stuff."

Lancer did his best not to get annoyed and seemed to be mentally reminding himself that he was, in fact, stuck with the flunking students, not to many bright ones in this lot. "No Mr. Baxter, our town is just haunted. Any more interruptions or can I continue explaining?"

The bus went quite. Danny did his best not to snicker at Lancer's annoyance, good thing he wasn't the only one here who wanted to be somewhere else.

With that Lancer continued explaining some of the history of the town, "What I was going to say before I was interrupted, was that the town got its name from the sound of the wind blowing through the hillside. It was said to sound like the ghostly wail of the dead."

'Ghostly Wail? Don't I have an attack like that?' Danny thought to himself. 'I'm sure that's just a coincidence. Not really that hard of a term to think of... surely there wasn't an actual ghost over there. Right?'

With the possible threat of a perceived chance that their just might be a ghost in the area, Danny's senses went on high alert. While Lancer prattled on about the history of the place after the students disembarked the bus, the ghost boy took his chance to take in his surroundings.

Including himself there were 7 people in their group, Dash, Star, Lancer, Kwan, Ricky Marsh, and Valarie? Why was she here? He was really starting to worry that he might have accidently ignored her on the bus earlier. Well, only one way to find out.

Danny carefully crept his way over to Valarie's side and gently nudged her shoulder with his. "Psst, hey Val." The dark haired boy whispered to the dark skin girl beside him.

Valarie turned, slightly startled, and then gave him a warm smile. "Oh, hey Danny, glad to see you awake. Have a rough night?"

Danny blushed sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "You could say that."

"Was it the ghosts?" she asked nonchalantly.

"Wha-what?!" Danny nearly shouted on high alert now. Did she know his secret?! How could he be alive still if she did!?

"I-I mean that I heard there was a pretty rough fight last night, I think they were on your side of town." She explained nervously and quickly added, "So I heard."

"Oh!" He was relieved and tried not to grin seeing how hard she was covering up her own secret. "Yeah they made quite a racket. I'm just glad my parents didn't wake up and storm the streets. That would have been a real disaster."

They both laughed as quietly as they could, shared a glance that last a few seconds too long and then both got quite and looked away.

To break the silence Danny asked the only question that came to mind. "So why are you here?"

He then instantly regretted it. Could he be any ruder? "Oh that didn't come out right. What I meant was- I er-" he really had no idea how to recover from that one.

Valarie smiled, "it's ok, I know what you mean. And its own little way it's a compliment."

"I-it is?" Danny was pleasantly shocked to hear this. Still very confused, but pleased.

"Well it means you think I'm doing well enough in class to not even need this extra credit. Which technically you're right, but just barely. Figured I might as well take it and do that much better." She explained.

Danny nodded in understanding and then added, "Wish I could say the same." He broke into his nervous habit again, "Maybe I shouldn't have said that hu?"

She giggled slightly, "Aw, but that's what I like about you. You're honest."

Then Danny smiled more to himself when he added, "But that doesn't mean I can't keep a secret."

It turns out that just showing up to the field trip was not how you got the extra credit. You actually had to do something. Lancer had set up a treasure hunt of sorts, just partner up and the more things on the list you find the more points you got.

It seemed easy enough, and with Valarie with him the trip might not be a waste of time after all. It had been a pretty long time since they had some proper alone time after that brief time that they had dated.

Danny confidently turned to Valarie, "Partners?" he more stated than asked.

"Partners." She agreed with a quick nod.

After all the groups had been made and they had collected their treasure hunting lists Lancer had one finally thing to add, "You may have free rein of the town but if something goes wrong you all lose your extra credit. Got it?" he finished sternly.

They all quickly nodded and promised in various ways how they would be on their best behavior. Once he was satisfied with their jumbled response he nodded and lead them to the old saloon, "We will meet up here at noon for lunch. If you aren't done by then," he paused as if thinking what that would mean for them, when it hit him, "Well too bad. Rome might not have been built in a day but this trip will sure be over in one!"

With that the students quickly split up and started to look over their lists and bags.

The list included:

A rusty nail (please don't pull them from the buildings)

A spur

One glass bottle

3 rocks (try to make it interesting)

A Horseshoe

One sample of the main export of the town. (and no I won't tell you what it is again.)

Danny and Valarie looked at each other, "You didn't by chance hear what the main export was did you?" Danny asked worried about the answer.

"No... I was a bit busy talking with you." She admitted. "Wanna see if our other classmates were paying attention?"

He nodded and they went to the first pair they saw, which was Kwan & Dash.

Danny couldn't help but be slightly hesitate to approach the bigger boys, luckily Valarie took the initiative. "Hey Kwan! Mind if I ask a quick question?"

He quickly turned to them as Dash speed off. "Oh hey Val, sure! What is it?"

"We were wondering what the last item was. We were kinda talking in class." She asked and added the last bit with a sly smile.

Danny wasn't sure why but both he and Kwan blushed a little at that. Kwan recovered much better than Danny would have if he were in the situation. "Oh yeah, me and Dash were just talking about that. I'm not really sure but I remember he said something about flour. So I'm gonna grab a bag if it from one of these stores, but Dash wasn't sure and thought maybe it was a flower, so he's gonna go pick every flower he sees. Says one of them will have to be right! Either way we are so gonna win this!" He thrust his fists into the air and shouted a quick battle cry and ran off to check the stores for his prize.

The two raised their brows and smirked slightly, "Well that was helpful" Valerie commented with a roll of her emerald eyes.

"Yeah but I really can't wait to see the bouquet that Dash is going to present Lancer later" Danny snickered.

They both laughed at the ridiculous thought of Dash with way too many flowers giving them to a very started, but also very flattered Mr. Lancer.

Just then Ricky & Star came their way. "Oh hey we over heard you were having some trouble. Need any help?" Ricky asked eagerly.

Danny chuckled as he turned, "Actually that'd be great! Do you know what the last item on the list is?"

Star once again interrupted before Ricky could answer. "Well Dash was sorta right, it's a flower. But it had some creepy name. I didn't remember what it was cuz it was too spooky. That gothy friend of yours would like it."

"Right, so-" Danny started but was cut off by Star.

"Do you remember what it was called? Maybe there's like a sign or something so we can just get it and go."

The red-headed boy nodded, "Well I don't remember the exact name, but Star's right it was a spooky name for a plant. I think it was like 'Bleeding Blooms' or something like that?" Ricky scratched his hat trying to place the name.

Danny's face paled, they weren't talking about what he thought they were talking about were they? He had to know for sure, "They weren't Blood Blossoms were they?" he asked hoping his voice didn't sound as shaky as it felt.

Ricky's eyes lit up "Yeah that's it! Thanks man! That woulda bugged me all day." He smiled and quickly wondered off after Star who was now trying to find cell service.

The only thought running circles in Danny's mind now was 'I'm going to die.' Just what he needed today, death. Half-death was troublesome enough!

It was Valerie that broke him out of his self pity mental track. "You ok Danny? You look kind of pale all of a sudden." She asked with concern.

"Hu? Wha? Oh! Right... ummm... would it be ok if we didn't even bother looking for that flower and if you see it before I do steer me in the complete opposite direction?" Danny asked with a very nervous grin hoping that she wouldn't ask why but knowing she would.

"Why?"

"I'm a... ummm..." great now he had to give her a reason. He didn't quite think that far ahead in that avoidance plan. "Umm, would you believe me if I said I'm allergic?" he paused and then quickly added "Because I am! I'm really, really, really allergic! To Blood Blossoms... just Blood Blossoms." He looked down and was really starting to think she wouldn't buy it. He really needed to work on his lying. Maybe he could take lessons or something?

But to his surprise, and great relief, she bought it, "Oh gosh I'm sorry Danny! I didn't know. But I've never even heard of these flowers before today, how'd you even find out?" she asked with curiosity glistening in her eyes.

"I- well- you see-" he began to walk as he talked to help himself think and to make sure they were out of earshot of the others. "I was out exploring the Gh-uhhh...Outdoors." he took a quick glance at Valerie who was following right beside him, "Maybe we should looks for the other things while we talk, it's a bit of a story."

"Oh right, sure thing. We best mosey on, partner." seeing her smile was a bit of a distraction for Danny, but he quickly regained his senses.

He continued to tell his story and decided that the closer it was to the truth the easier it would be, he'd just have to leave out the whole time travel & ghost zone bit. Well that and the part where Vlad was trying to kill them. Wow he really was trying to kill them wasn't he? It was hard to tell at the time. "So me, Sam, & Tucker were hiking along this trail we hadn't been to before and I-" he paused thinking how to tell her how he ended up in a ring of those horrible flowers. "Oh right, I fell off the path and slipped down a small ledge. I was fine because it wasn't that far of a fall, and I was mostly sliding on my bu- pants." He chuckles a little at his almost saying 'butt' in front of Val. How rude.

She was very entranced with his story but it turned out she was really good at multitasking. She stopped to pick up a rusty nail off the path and urged him to continue.

"So I was a bit dazed from suddenly falling, but then everything just started to hurt..." Danny stopped to pick up a small rock and tossed it lightly in his hand. "I think I screamed. I don't think I've ever felt pain like that before in my whole life... well-" Danny paused and thought back on the portal accident. No that defiantly hurt more. The blossoms were a close second though, but not as bad as Ecto-electrocution. He shuddered and started to forget he was talking to anyone.

"Danny?" Valerie barely touched his shoulder but the contact made him jump slightly.

"Oh! Right I was telling a story! Sorry about that Val." He let out a nervous chuckle, "So where was I before my brain decided to go into sleep mode?" he added hoping that would be a good excuse.

"Man you really need to invest in some ear plugs or something." They laughed and after they got it out of their systems she reminded him, "You were saying how the flowers were the worst pain for you in your whole life... but then you got distracted, it almost seemed like you were thinking of something that was worse?"

"Oh I was trying to think of something, but the only think I could think of was death." Danny quickly explained.

The look Valerie gave him helped him realize maybe he should have worded that better.

"I mean, I figure dying might be worse, like if it's a painful way... like being electrocuted." He trailed off a bit and added more when he saw that look was still on her face, "I had a dream about it once. While ago now but sometimes it comes back to me when I'm umm stressed and stuff."

"You had a dream where you died? That can't be good!" Valarie was giving a very concerned look that Danny was used to seeing on his sister. He needed to fix it now! You cannot have a girlfriend... or ex-girlfriend, or never-made-it-to-girlfriend, remind you of your sister. That was not a line he was going to cross.

"Oh Jazz says that with what our parents do that it's not so bad, and added some other psychology mumbo jumbo, but I had tuned her out by that point." He had waved his hands in circles for emphasize.

She finally smiled again and picked up another rock and added it to their treasure hunting bag. "Oh you had me worried for a second there."

"Yeah, sorry about that. I just kept saying all this weird stuff hu? Anyway wasn't I going to tell you how I survived the evil plants?" Danny asked with a warm half smile.

She nodded and he continued. "Well I'm lying there super uncomfortable like, and then Sam remembers that she had heard, well in a book, so I guess read, that you could eat the flowers! So Tucker ended up eating them and once they were gone I felt better. A bit sore but nothing a good night's rest wouldn't solve."

"But what if Tucker had been allergic to them too?"

Danny stopped walking and looked to the sky. "You know, we honestly hadn't even thought of that." And after telling her that story Danny felt pretty proud of himself, he had done a pretty good job.

Valerie laughed, "You have some really weird friends you know that?"

"Of course I do!" Danny smiled back and spotted what could be a possible item on their list just up ahead. "Who else would befriend the Ghost Hunters of Amity Park's weird kid?" he bent to pick up just what he thought he saw, a small broken spur.

He spun the small disk and watched it go as he made his way back to his partner.

"Danny, are you ok?" she asked as she put her hand on the spur, stopping its movements.

Danny brought his attention back to her and tried very hard not to think about how close her hand was to his. "Yeah. Why?"

"It's just what you just said... I-I hope really you don't feel that way." The look in her eyes was so full of caring and concern it took a moment for Danny to pull himself out of her gaze.

"Oh!" but then he remembered how. "Oh crud that sounded really bad didn't it? I just- I-I... It must be the lack of sleep. I say weird things when I'm tired."

She cocked a brow and took the spur as she spoke, "You've blamed you crudy sleep schedule at least three times today. How many nights have you missed sleep?" she asked in a playfully accusing manner with a hand on her hip after she had put the item away.

"I- um..." Danny tried to think but it seemed too high of a number, maybe he could ask her to reword it? "I think it would be easier to count when I do sleep, than when I don't." he admitted.

She gave him an expectant stare, "Ok...? How about this week, how much did you sleep this week?"

"I'm thinking 6. Yeah or maybe more like 6 and three quarters? That sounds good." Danny answered with a satisfied nod.

She let out a sigh of relief. "Oh well that's not to ba-" she stopped herself and then thought about what he had just said again. "6 and three quarters? How do you sleep 6 and three quarters nights?" she asked slowly.

Danny couldn't help it but he busted out laughing. "Nights?" he laughed more. "Oh Valerie that's great! Nights!" when he would think back on this later he would realize it wasn't that funny, but he was at that point of sleep deprivation where everything was funny. And once you start laughing it's really hard to stop. "If that was how many nights I had I wouldn't have a problem then would I?" he was laughing so hard he had to sit down, and luckily they were by a shop so he could rest on the stoop. He took a deep breath to try and calm down but he couldn't wipe the grin off his face.

"Then what were you counting?" she asked warily taking a seat next to him.

"Hours." He said simply. "Well plus the wonderful 5 and half hours I got on Sunday! That was beautiful! I always get the best sleep when Mom & Dad are out of town. I think people should sing songs about sleep. They'd be the best songs."

Valarie gave her sleep deprived friend a long hard stare, it was a tad hard for him to read but her words distracted him, "They do have songs about sleep."

Danny had been a tad distracted when the glint of a glass bottle under the stoop caught his attention. He replied as he got up to gather the bottle, his movements were like a cat stalking it's pray. "Oh yeah? What are they like?"

"They're called Lullaby's. Maybe you should listen to a few when you get home. I'm sure I could send you some links on where to download the good ones." She answered while curiously watching the boy's odd behavior.

He paused for a brief moment, then slowly retracted from under the wood, bottle and a shiny rock in tow. He looked up at her with a coy smile as he sat back on his heels. "I'd think I'd like that."

They both laughed for a good long time. It took several minutes for them to get to a state where they could breathe properly, and a few more before they stop spontaneously giggling when they looked at each other.

Valerie was leaning against one of the posts while Danny did they same with the store's wall straight across from her when she looked up. "Hey it's the last thing we need." Valerie gestured to the wall above Danny's head.

Danny turned to look and there indeed was a horseshoe above the doorway. He turned back to her and questioned her with a small smile, "Weren't we not suppose to take things off of the buildings?"

"You see any horses around here?" She said with the most mischievous beautiful smile he had ever seen.