Fun Fact: Out of all the DP fics I wrote, Unwilling is my favorite.

Chapter Ten

Sam sat alone at the breakfast table staring at the grapefruit glistening on the plate in front of her trying not to give into her darker thoughts. A woman who Danny told her was a ghost stood near by wanting to know if she required anything else to eat.

"I'm fine," Sam responded weakly. The woman departed and Sam continued to stare at the grapefruit. She had come out of the bathroom the night before with the intention of pulling Danny into the bath with her, and maybe talking. She knew they needed to talk, but she wanted to be close with him. Maybe the bath was a bad idea, but it seemed nice at the time. He disappeared and hadn't come back.

"You look troubled," a sympathetic Spectra said as she sat next to Sam at the table. "Perhaps you should talk to a trained psycho-therapist instead of that quack Danny calls his sister." She barred her teeth in something that looked more like a sneer than a smile.

"I don't want to talk to you," Sam said as she picked up her spoon and tapped the grapefruit.

"I know Danny spent all night outside of your room," Spectra sang in a teasing voice. "Did you have a fight?"

"It's not really your business," Sam told her as she contemplated flicking the cherry on her grapefruit, on to Spectra's face.

Spectra sighed in exasperation. "It really is my business. I have decisions to make."

"We didn't fight," Sam growled.

"Then why is it that Danny has just now returned to your room?" Spectra asked, causing Sam's head to shoot up and turn to look at her.

"He's back?" Sam asked her eyes going wide.

"Yes," Spectra said as she smiled evilly. "But he doesn't want to talk to you right now. He's tired and wounded. What ever did you do to him dear girl? The pain is just rolling off him in delicious waves."

"Nothing," Sam answered, suddenly feeling very dizzy. She leaned on her hand and closed her eyes.

"This must be very stressful for you," Spectra continued. "Knowing that he doesn't love you, that he only married you because he needed money."

"Shut up!" Sam yelled.

"But then he's rejected you before hasn't he Sam?"

"I said, shut up!" Sam repeated.

"And then your first husband. I hear he was unfaithful. It must leave you feeling very unlovable."

"Spectra!" a voice yelled. Both Sam and Spectra jumped then turned to look at an extremely furious Jazz Fenton standing in the doorway.

"Oh my!" Spectra said as she put her hand to her face in a dramatic pose. "If it isn't our dear little intern."

"Can it, Penelope," Jazz spat acidly as she walked into the room. She put her hands on Sam's shoulder and glared at the evil ghost.

"I'm consulting with my client," Spectra said dryly. "I would appreciate it if you didn't interfere."

"Sam," Jazz said as she bent down and looked into Sam's face. "Tucker is in the living room watching television, why don't you go sit with him for awhile?" She helped Sam stand then walked her out of the room, waiting a moment before turning on Spectra.

"I don't know what game you're playing at, but I'm not letting you get away with messing with my brother and….and his wife!" Jazz lifted her chin defiantly and Spectra threw back her head and laughed.

"How are you going to stop me?" Spectra asked as she talked down to Jazz. "You're not even a real doctor yet, and even then your study took place at a rinky dink city college. I graduated from Columbia University with full honors."

"Your training is irrelevant," Jazz said confidently as she smiled at Spectra. "The truth is I am a better psychologist than you will ever be, and you are jealous."

Spectra crossed her arms and glared at Jazz. "You're presence here is unnecessary."

"Stop trying to manipulate Danny and Sam," Jazz growled. "They love each other. It has taken them a lot of time and heartache to get where they are today, and they don't need you messing with their heads."

"Aww," Spectra said sweetly. "You make it sound so sweet and innocent!"

"Leave them alone," Jazz growled.

Spectra smiled evilly. "You are in no position to stop me Ms. Fol…I mean Fenton." Jazz narrowed her eyes at the ghost and walked around her for a minute.

"I have a Fenton thermos upstairs in my bag with your name on it, I suggest you lay off Danny and Sam."

"Oh I'm scared," Spectra fake pouted. "I'm afraid however that limiting my freedom will only serve to slow down the distribution of Vlad's estate." Jazz didn't look away from Spectra who took a step back.

"I'll return when you're not sticking your amateur nose into things," Spectra sighed then vanished. Jazz growled something nasty under her breath then turned to look for Sam, and find out how much damage had been done.

Tucker looked up from the program he was working on as Sam shuffled into the living room, then frowned as she sat down next to him and buried her face in his shoulder.

"Something happen?" Tucker asked as he put his arm around her. Sam nodded her head and Tucker closed the lap top.

"Yes," Sam told him. "But do you mind if I don't talk about it?" Tucker sighed deeply and moved Sam so he could look into her face.

"I'm not going to play quiet confidant anymore," Tucker told her gently. "I did that once and we lost you. So, yes I mind if you don't talk about it. What happened?"

Sam squeezed her eyes shut. She didn't want to tell Tucker what she'd done the night before. She was ashamed as it was and she was sure the reason Danny disappeared was because he was disgusted at her wanton display of passion.

"Sam," Tucker said as he jostled her shoulder. "Talk to me."

"I woke up last night," Sam started quietly. "From my usual dream, but Danny was holding me, so…so instead of crying I just…"

"You just?" Tucker prompted.

"I umm…" Sam blushed then rolled her eyes at Tuck. "I umm, Danny and I, we…"

"You?" Tucker asked as he tried to prod Sam to speak.

"You know," Sam said as she looked at her hands.

"No Sam," Tucker told her blankly. "I don't know. What are you talking about?"

Sam looked up at the ceiling. She frowned at the football patterns for a moment then sighed, "I practically raped him," she said softly. Tucker's eyes widened and Sam looked at him worriedly.

"You what?" Tucker asked in shock.

"Don't make me repeat it," Sam groaned.

"Okay," Tucker said, obviously stunned. "Okay. So you errr, umm did it."

"Yes," Sam answered.

"Then what happened? Did he yell at you? Danny loves you he would never…"

"He doesn't love me!" Sam protested. "How can you say that? He doesn't love me! How can he?" She leaned forward and put her face in her hands. "He thinks I'm disgusting."

"Did he tell you that?" Tucker asked in bewilderment.

"No," Sam answered tearfully. "But I went into the bathroom. I told him I'd be right back and when I opened the door, he was gone."

"Oh," Tucker said sadly. "I'm sorry Sam."

"I told him I loved him. I told him I'd love him forever, but I couldn't say it in English," Sam told Tucker.

"You said it all in French?" Tucker asked sadly. Sam nodded his head and he shook his.

"He hates me now," Sam said miserably. "He hates me and…and I-I hate me too."

Tucker half laughed. "I doubt Danny could ever hate you," Tucker told Sam as he pulled her into a hug.

"I don't know what to do. He's upstairs now. Asleep. I can't go disturb him and talk to him."

"Why don't you go um…umm….lie down next to him," Tucker suggested laughing as Sam gasped in horror.

"Come on Sam. One of you has to fight for this relationship, and you know it's not going to be Danny. He's too clueless."

"I can't be the one to put my heart on the line again!" Sam cried.

"Yes you can," Tucker told her as he stood and held out his hand. Sam gave him a questioning look and let him pull her off the couch.

"Jazz is right. You two have been dancing around each other too long. It's time to grab each other before it's too late." Tucker put his arm around Sam and walked with her upstairs. He stopped at the door to her room and looked at her.

"Sam," he started as he put a hand on either side of her shoulders. "I love you. I love Danny. You two of the most important people in the world to me. I need to see you happy. You belong together."

"I don't think I can do this," Sam whispered as she stared fearfully at the door.

"Sam," Tucker said forcefully. "Just do what you need to do. If things don't go the way I am positive they will, then I'll personally kill Danny for you. Okay?" She nodded her head then reached for the door knob.

"Thanks, Tuck," she said then entered the room.

Danny was laying on his stomach, sprawled across the bed in abandon, snoring slightly, fully clothed. It looked as if he was already asleep before he hit the bed, so much for not needing much sleep. Sam almost laughed.

Sam took a deep shaky breath as she stepped out of her shoes then crawled on to the bed and sat beside him for a minute. She smoothed her hand along is back and he sighed deeply.

"Danny," she whispered then bit her lip as she moved so she could lie beside him. She smoothed his eyebrows with her finger tips then traced his face. He needed to shave and she smiled slightly. Danny with stubble was a new sight for her.

"Danny," she repeated as she traced her fingers along his lip. He licked his lips and she smiled. "Wake up."

He rolled over onto his back and covered his eyes with his arm. Sam pressed herself against him and laid her head on his chest. His arm came around her, he pulled her close, and she had to force herself to breathe before she started sobbing.

She tilted her face up so she could look at him. "Danny. Wake up."

"Too tired," he said as he rolled toward her, tucking her beneath him. His eyes opened sleepily and she smiled as he blinked at her. A look of confusion passed across his face, he tried to move away from her, but she held him tight.

"Where did you go last night?" Sam asked aware that Danny could probably feel her heart thumping crazily. Danny closed his eyes, put his forehead on her shoulder and was silent so long that Sam attempted to wake him up again.

"I'm awake, Sammy," he told her gently.

"Look at me," Sam ordered breathlessly. Danny lifted his head and sorrowfully met her gaze. Her heart squeezed as she fell into those blue depths she loved so much. She kissed him and he sighed against her lips, obviously uncertain, before returning the embrace.

"I missed you," Sam said against his mouth. "Don't leave me again, Danny." She thought it was strange, she'd said almost the same words to him last night, only he wasn't able to understand. She didn't know if she had the courage to confess everything to him.

Danny didn't know what to say, on one hand, he wanted to pull her close and love her all over again, on the other he wanted to be angry at her, because he was almost sure she hadn't been thinking of him last night, but of Jean Paul. His heart felt ragged and raw at the mere thought, and now here she was in his arms, begging him not to leave her, as if he ever really could.

"I won't leave you," Danny told her as he kissed her again. "I love you. I love you so much. I know you couldn't possibly return my feelings, but it's okay, I understand" His heart ached at the way she gasped. She smiled then put her hand on the back of his neck, pulled his head down and deepened their kiss, he assumed, pessimistically to shut him up.

"Oh Danny," she said as they broke apart and looked in each other's eyes again. She paused and then swallowed hard. "I guess you wouldn't know what Je t'aime, means. Do you know what it means?"

"No," Danny replied as he shifted so he wasn't placing so much of his weight on her. He didn't want to know. Maybe it meant "get your filthy hands off of me" or "I hate you". Though he rationalized if that were true, she wouldn't have woken him like she did, but he couldn't help but worry.

"I said it to you last night, do you remember?"

"Yes," Danny answered hoarsely, still feeling a little groggy from sleep and in emotional pain from the night before. "I remember every moment." He'd never forget, even if she wanted him too.

Sam took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a minute. "Je t'aime, means I love you," she told him and his eyes went wide.

"You love me?" Danny asked in shock. His head swam as he struggled to understand her words, she sounded so far away as his blood rushed in his ears.

"I always have," Sam admitted feeling the horrible sting of an unwelcome blush on her cheeks. "I know you said…" Danny interrupted her with his mouth over hers, kissing her deeply and passionately, and a little bubble of joy rose up in her heart as he showered her with kisses and sweet declarations of love.

"I'm so sorry," Danny whispered against her throat as he kissed her neck. "So sorry. I thought you didn't want me to stay last night. I thought you were upset that I wasn't Jean Paul. I thought…"

Sam put her hand to her mouth. "I ran a bath with the intention of…um…" She smiled wickedly. "Continuing things with you. I knew who I was making love to Danny. What kind of woman do you think I am?"

"One who is mourning her husband," Danny told her honestly. "Who was forced into a marriage she didn't want."

Sam rolled her eyes. "I told you once, I would never marry someone I didn't love." Danny laughed and kissed her again, a feeling of disbelief plaguing him. He had to be dreaming, either that or Sam was going to tell him she changed her mind and had to leave. He couldn't believe that she was here at last, his at last after way too many years of being utterly incomplete without her.

"I love you, Sam," he told her again as he moved them into a more comfortable position on the bed. "But we have a lot to talk about."

"I agree," Sam replied. "But at least we can say it to each other now…I'm tired of being a big open gaping wound. You make me happy Danny. Being with you is like…"

"Heaven," Danny finished as he slid his fingers beneath her shirt. Sam smiled and cuddled closer to him.

"It's better than heaven," she whispered softly as she kissed him again, and then, there was no more talking.

Danny and Sam were laughing and teasing as they walked into the living room. They stopped and looked at the two occupants of the room; Tucker was sitting with his laptop angled haphazardly in his lap and Jazz was sitting in a chair, combing her fingers through her disheveled hair.

"Hi guys," Jazz said cheerfully as she adjusted her headband.

"What happened to you?" Danny asked as he examined his sister.

Her eyes widened. "Nothing. Why?" Danny shrugged his shoulders and looked at Tucker who was looking at Jazz thoughtfully. He met Danny's eyes and shrugged his shoulders.

"You two look happy," Jazz observed as she stood and sat next to Tucker on the couch. She looked at his laptop and he gave her an annoyed glare.

"We are happy," Danny agreed as he tightened his arm around Sam. She smiled and leaned against him.

"So everything is worked out then?" Tucker asked and pushed Jazz away as she peered at the computer screen.

"Yeah," Sam answered bashfully. "We're good." Both Tucker and Jazz looked at them thoughtfully.

"Seriously?" Tucker asked as he elbowed Jazz who was invading his space trying to get at his laptop.

"What do you mean seriously?" Jazz questioned as she swiped the computer from his lap. "Can I check my email?"

"No," Tucker growled as he pulled the computer away from Jazz.

Danny sat down and pulled Sam into his lap. She kissed him and mussed his hair and he laughed. Tucker and Jazz paused in their fight over the laptop and smiled at the two lovers.

"Definitely seriously," Danny said as he looked into Sam's eyes. She kissed him so passionately that both Tucker and Jazz blushed.

"Want to go for a walk?" Tucker asked Jazz, not taking his eyes from Danny and Sam.

"I just got back from a walk," Jazz answered. "It's horribly windy outside." Danny and Sam broke from their embrace and looked out the window at the garden. It was obvious that no wind was blowing. They looked at each other in confusion then at Tucker and Jazz.

"Go for a walk," Danny ordered then looked into Sam's eyes.

"What happened to needing a chaperone?" Jazz asked slyly, but Danny and Sam were completely oblivious.

"Come on, Jazz," Tucker said as he stood. "Let's go. I don't find sitting here watching Danny and Sam make out, an exciting prospect."

Jazz leaned on her arm as she sighed and looked at the lovers. "Speak for yourself."

"Sicko," Tucker growled. "Come on. I know you're getting sick of me, but let's leave them in peace."

Jazz stood and followed Tucker. "I'm not sick of you Tucker. I just find you and all your tech gadgetry extremely annoying."

"And I find your voice extremely annoying," Tucker told her as he walked from the room, Jazz following close behind.

"Are they gone?" Danny asked as he ran his fingers up Sam's arm.

"I don't care," Sam answered as she kissed his neck. "I don't care about anything right now. Just you."

"I love you, Sam," Danny whispered.

"I love you too," she responded then squeaked as he ran his fingers under her shirt and up her ribs, tickling her until she squealed in laughter.

"Excuse me. Mr and Mrs. Fenton?" A voice asked from the door. Danny and Sam looked up to find Marsha standing there, a clipboard in her hands.

"Hi Marsha," Danny said happily as he joyfully noted that Sam hadn't corrected Marsha, by insisting she was still Sam Manson.

"I need both of your signatures," Marsha said as she walked into the room. She sat down and tapped her clipboard with a pen.

"What is it?" Sam asked.

"It authorizes Mr. Porter to release funds into your bank account," Marsha answered. She shuffled some papers on her clipboard. "I've taken the liberty of opening up a joint account for you, but I need your signatures on that documentation as well."

"Oh," Danny said as both he and Sam sat up. "Can um…can we have thirty thousand wired to my parents?"

Marsha smiled at him. "I have that paperwork ready as well."

"Wow," Sam said. "You're well prepared."

"Of course," Marsha replied with a smile. "It is my job to always anticipate my clients needs." She handed the clipboard to Danny who began reading each document as they signed.

"Mr. Porter also wanted me to inform you that Mr. Master's financial records are now open to you, and that any funds necessary for the up keep of your home and you business interests, will be available to you."

"Business interests?" Sam asked curiously.

"You are both now sole owners of Vladco, Dalv and all related holdings," Marsha answered. "Your business interests expand into the international financial world. You're now very influential people." Danny and Sam looked at each other for a moment then cracked up laughing. Marsha simply smiled.

"You'll find all financial records and documents on the desk in the study," Marsha continued. "If you need any help, or have any questions, the number for Mr. Master's accounting firm is in the rolodex." She looked sad for a moment, but then cheered quickly.

"Congratulations," She said as she stood and shook both their hands. "You've passed the first test. I knew you could do it. Ms. Spectra will only be visiting once a week from here on out. Wednesdays at one pm, please keep a three hour block free as these meeting times are not negotiable."

Danny and Sam looked at each other then smiled at each other as Marsha left the room. "Going to call your parents?" Sam asked.

"In a minute," Danny said softly as he cuddled her into his arms then kissed her gently.

"Two minutes," Sam laughed as she tilted her head so he had better access to her neck.

"A few hours," Danny told her as he pulled her tight then flew her up through the ceiling while she laughed.

"Don't worry," Spectra said. "The situation has moved a little quicker than we expected, but we're still on track."

"They admitted that they love each other quickly," Bertrand observed. "I expected it to take at least six months.

"Oh I didn't think it would take that long," Spectra purred happily. "I was banking on at least another week. Their feelings for each other are a little too intense for them to stay apart for too long."

Bertrand sighed. "Their happiness makes me feel ill."

Spectra laughed. "It is too sweet isn't it. The star crossed lovers united at last. Too bad it won't be a happy union for long."

Bertrand looked at Spectra in surprise. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"What I mean is that I have been given a detailed plan of action, which Danny and Sam have so far fallen into perfectly," Spectra answered. "The agony, the pain, the hatred is going to be wonderful."

"Oh so that's how Vlad talked you into doing this," Bertrand said knowingly. "You're payment is feeding off their pain."

"That and well, you know how it is Bertrand. I'd do anything for one of my lovers."

Bertrand grimaced. "That's former lover."

"Semantics my dear," Spectra laughed. "Just semantics." Bertrand growled something under his breath and Spectra gave him a fond look and patted his head.

"Trust me Berty, I know what I'm doing. I've always know what I was doing."

Bertrand's business like demeanor dropped and he sighed. "I've always trusted you Pen. Always." She smiled at him again and he shook his head.

Life fell into a nice rhythm for Danny and Sam over the next month. Tucker and Jazz left for the most part, but came back on the weekends. Alternating weekends Tuck specified as he and Jazz sat at the dinner table one evening, amusing Danny and Sam with their talk of visitation arraignments for their children, Daniel and Samantha.

"I get them on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter," Jazz stated.

"What!" Tucker growled. "Why do you get them on all the major holidays?"

"Because Danny is my brother. Sam is my sister in law," Jazz informed him smugly.

"But I am their best friend!" Tucker exclaimed.

"Family takes precedence over best friends," Jazz said haughtily.

Tucker looked at Danny who was grinning as he watch them banter back and forth. "I'd say you're only option would be to marry into the family," he teased.

"Sorry Danny," Tucker said as he put up his hands and shook his head. "I'd accept your proposal if you weren't already married to Sam…besides, I'm really I'm not ready to settle down."

Jazz speared one of the carrots on her plate viscously with a fork and Sam looked at her questioningly. Jazz caught her watching and smiled. "I really love these carrots." Jazz told Sam as popped the vegetable she'd been trying to murder with her fork into her mouth and smiled as she chewed, only stopping momentarily to send Tucker an evil look.

So life settled down to a happy routine for Danny and Sam. Tucker and Jazz ended up visiting together. They kept their Wednesday appointments with Spectra, but the sessions never lasted three hours. The couple had surrounded themselves in a bubble of happiness which was impossible for Spectra and her barbed comments to penetrate.

It couldn't be denied that Danny and Sam were very much in love. Danny's parents came for a visit, thanking their son and daughter-in-law for saving their home, and full of sincere promises to pay back the debts, though Danny and Sam waved the offer away, telling them it was a gift. And they were happy and in love, and didn't think of much but each other, eating and sleeping only when it became necessary. All pain was forgotten and neither Danny or Sam wanted to look back, so they didn't.

"Who could that be?" Sam asked one rainy Saturday afternoon about two months later, as the doorbell rang.

"Tucker or Jazz." Danny said as he remained on the couch with his head in Sam's lap.

"Tucker went to L.A. for a meeting," Sam reminded Danny. "And Jazz said she had to study for her board exams.

"Sammykins!" a shrill voice shrieked from out in the hall and Sam sat up with wide frightened eyes.

"No!" she said as she grabbed Danny and gave him a wide eyed pleading look. "Hide me."

"You're afraid of your mom?" Danny asked in amusement.

"I haven't seen her since before I married Jean Paul," Sam told him as she dug her fingers into his arm. "We didn't part on the best of terms."

"Sammykins," Pamela Manson, dressed in a bright pink checked skirt and jacket, called as she stood in the doorway a moment. She patted her perfectly coiffed red hair, adjusted a pearl earring then walked forward with a pleased smile on her face.

"Hi Mom," Sam said flatly as her mother bent down and air kissed both her cheeks.

Pamela looked Sam over for a moment then asked in concern, "Are you sick?"

"The flu," Sam told her and smiled almost happily as her mother gasped and jumped back. Sam knew her mother hated getting sick above all else. She was almost obsessive compulsive in her fear of germs and in her hygienic habits. She dug some hand sanitizer from her purse then donned a pair of white gloves as she sat back and looked at Sam and Danny.

Danny put his hand on Sam's back and rubbed in slow comforting circles. If he had known Sam's mother was going to show up he would have been at the door to head her off. Sam had been very sick the last few days and he didn't want her upset.

"It's really an embarrassment to learn about your daughter's marriage from strangers," Pamela scolded as she adjusted her gloves. "Your father is beside himself. His colleagues have asked after you and want to know where they can send a gift, and where you were registered."

Sam took a deep breath. "You and Dad disowned me," she told her mother shortly. "Remember."

"That was years ago, Sammykins," Pamela said sweetly as she looked around the room thoughtfully. "Your home is magnificent. When I was told that you and Danny had inherited Vlad Master's estate, I could hardly believe it." Her eyes sparkled with glee. "You are two of the richest people in the world."

"We are, but not for that reason," Danny started and Sam put her hand on his arm. She smiled at him sweetly and shook her head.

"You're father's associates have been begging him to set up a meeting with the two of you, to discuss investments and…." Pamela continued.

"No," Danny interrupted. "We're not meeting anyone to discuss anything."

Pamela put her hand on her chest in shock. "But Danny, you have this beautiful home. You've married my daughter. You've inherited control of a massive financial empire. You need connections. You need to open up your home and entertain."

"I'm not opening up my home to anyone," Danny growled. "And I feel no need to make connections in the financial world." He looked at Sam who had become extremely pale at the entrance of her mother to the room. He moved from the couch and stood at the door.

"Sam is very sick today. She doesn't need to be upset. I will see you out."

"But I just got here," Pamela said as she stood and followed Danny out of the room. "I drove over four hours to get here."

"Next time," Sam heard Danny say as she curled up on the couch. "Maybe you'll do us the courtesy of calling before you visit." Sam chuckled to herself then closed her eyes.

Sam was asleep when Danny returned from seeing her mother out. He looked at her worriedly then picked her up in his arms and took her upstairs to bed. He'd never been happier in his life, but he was worried about Sam.

In interest of keeping her from being stressed he issued his first real order since moving into Vlad's house. No visitors were allowed into the house unless they had his, or Sam's approval first. It wasn't a big order, but Danny was pleased with it anyway. He laid down with Sam on the bed and drifted to sleep, wishing almost wistfully that he could thank Vlad, and wondering how mad the fruit loop would have been to know his death was the harbinger of so much joy.