That afternoon Danny and Sam went to Danny's house. The two of them were on a mission to ask his parents about spirits and ghost. The idea was that it would be Sam that would be interested as Danny himself had never really been interested in ghost, and him having a sudden interest would be strange and draw suspicion (especially after what Danny had just been threw considering there portal.
"Hi, I'm Sam," Sam introduced herself, "Danny's new friend."
Danny's parents were quite honestly surprised, as they could not remember the last time Danny brought home a friend, let alone a girl who happened to be a friend. So it should be no surprise that it took a moment for them to come around to this.
"Oh, hi Sam, I am Madeline," Madeline introduced herself, seeing as she was the first to recover, "and this is my husband Jack. So how did you meet my son?"
"Well, we met by the pool in P.E. today. I had hit my head on the bottom and Danny pulled me out," Returned Sam.
"Way to go danny-boy,"exclaimed Jack, "if there's a sure fire way to get a girl to like you, it's the old save their life routine!"
"Dad," said jasmine as she walked into the room, "and you should know that there are few better ways to drive away your son's new friend than to embarrass him in front of her."
"Oh, I don't mind," said Sam, "for that matter I think it's cute when he blushes like that."
Now it was Danny's turn to be indignantly defiant, "Sam! I, I, please don't say things like that in front of my parents…"
"Oh don't wuss out on me now Danny," Sam hit Danny's arm.
Danny rubbed his arm, mostly surprised that the blow didn't hurt him but not really surprised that he had been hit, Sam seemed like the pushy type. He watched as Sam quickly made friends with his parents and his sister both. When she asked what his parents did for a living, she feigned surprise and begged to see the lab.
"Please, please" she said, "can I please see it?"
"Well…" started Jack.
"I suppose you can see it," said madeline, "but you are not allowed to touch anything, so keep your hands to yourself."
"All right!" cheered Sam. Hey, she was honestly excited to see a laboratory that was dedicated to the paranormal.
They went down to the basement, and Sam was rather amazed to see what they had in there. It was just like Danny said a large portal in the far wall, beakers, electronic measuring devices everywhere, and devices that Sam could not even begin to identify. She then, with enthusiasm unfaked, began to ask about spirits, ghost and etc. she asked about there powers, there habits, why they were around, how they came to be, what were they exactly, and where and when that such things could be found. The answers she was given now follow.
"Well, spirits, and to be more specific ghost, are composed of a substance known as ectoplasm. Being with no digestive system, they have to absorb energy from there surroundings. That is how they create cold spots and drain batteries like they do. As far as what they are capable of, well that is largely a matter of debate," said Madeline, in one breath no less.
Jack then continued, "We know that ghosts are not physical creatures in the strictest of senses, but they are somehow able to affect the physical world. This suggests that they can either make themselves solid, or maybe just semi-solid, or have some sort of telekinesis."
"I bet that can come in handy," cut in Danny.
"yes, it would be," continued Jack "further more, some are said to react to emotions, suggesting a sort of empathic sense, still others are reported to have telepathy."
"It should also be noted," said Madeline, "that ghost, not being alive, are not limited to the strengths and weaknesses of the living."
"What do you mean by that? Asked Sam.
"This is really just more speculation on our parts," said Jack, but in addition to not eating or breathing, a ghost is sometimes reported to be able to lift objects, and move faster, than they ever could in life. This suggests that some have intense physical strength. As far as those that can actually become physical, that is. Conversely, some are so weak, and so slow in there movements, that it is apparent that maintaining there existence is a challenge for them in and of itself."
"So," said Danny, "a ghost can have a wide variety of abilities." He thought for a moment, "or disabilities." He finished.
"But why do ghost haunt?" asked Sam?
"A ghost haunts places that had meaning to them in life," said Madeline. "They aren't really capable of venturing to new places, or learning new things. In those matters, a ghost is trapped."
"But what about a spirit that was never human, or alive for that mater, to begin with," asked Sam?
"In such scenarios, we can only guess," said Jack, "At least until we actually have one to study that is."
"Which is why we built this," said Madeline, pointing to a round object on the shelf.
"and this," said Jack, pointing to a object, about six feet high, three feet wide on the left wall next to the stairs.
"Those," said Madeline, "are parts of our ghost capture and containment plans, so we can study them up close."
It was then that Sam noticed what time it was.
"Oh, great, I need to go home." Sam said.
"Hey, I'll walk you home," said Danny.
"Hey I can drive you," said Jack.
Both Danny and Madeline cried "NO!" at that suggestion. Sam had this half grin, half should I be scared look on her face.
"That's ok Mr. Fenton," she said "Danny can just walk me, if that's all right."
"No," said Madeline, "I will go ahead and take you home, it's getting dark out and I don't want Danny to be out alone this late if I can help it. Danny, you're coming with."
"Well," replied Sam "thank you then, and thanks for the talk. It was fun and informative."
Madeline then whispered to Danny as they went out to the car, "and when we get to her house, you are walking her to the door, understand."
"Yes mom," Danny deadpanned.
When they got to her house Danny was surprised to see the size of it. Of course he started getting suspicious when they entered the ritzy neighbor hood, but that was beside the point. The house was huge.
"Wow," said Danny, "that's a big house."
"Yeah, my family is rich," Deadpanned Sam with all the emotion of a dead fish, "big deal."
Danny got the point and let the topic drop.
"Whelp," said Sam, "time to face the music."
"What," asked Madeline, "your parents didn't know you were at a friend's house?"
"Oh, they knew I was at a friend's house," said Sam, "they just didn't know that the friend was a boy."
"Oh,' said Madeline, "maybe I should go up with you then."
"Nah, I am sure I can smooth things out with them easily enough. Though they will want to meet you regardless…" said Sam, "on second thought come right on along."
When they walked up to the door Danny got that feeling again. It wasn't nearly as strong as before, but there was definitely something there.
"Sam," Danny started, "I think…"
That was as far as he got when Sam's parents opened the door.
"Samantha Madison," said her father, "you did not tell us that it was to a boy's house you went to."
"Well, I am just happy she made a friend," said her mother, "hello, I am Pamela, and this is my husband Jeremy."
Sam and her parents were most definitely a study in contrast. Were Sam was decked out in all black; her parents were something straight out of a 1950's family sitcom. Well, as far as appearances went any how.
Sam then introduced Danny and Madeline, "mom, dad, this is Danny and his mother, Madeline."
Jeremy shook Danny's hand, "you better not be just some creep out to get into my daughters pants."
"dad/jerry!" cried both Sam and Pamela at the same time.
"Dad, I'll have you know that not only was Danny a perfect gentleman the entire time," said Sam, putting up a dignified air, "he also saved my life today."
"What!" was the cry of both of her parents.
"I had fallen into the pool, and Danny pulled me out and had to give me c.p.r." Sam said, "So you better be nice to him," she finished with a growl.
Jeremy and Pamela stood there gaping like fish for a moment.
"What!" cried Pamela, "my poor baby? Are you all right? Why didn't you call home I would have come to get you right away!"
"Psh," snorted Jeremy, "I think he pushed you in when you weren't looking!"
"DAD!" shouted Sam, "Danny did no such thing; he was all the way on the other side… other side of the pool when I went under! And it wasn't him that pushed me!"
"Well, if it wasn't him that pushed you," said Jeremy, "than who was it?"
Sam looked down, her mother held her tight, "it was some bitch named Paullina, or at least that was what she called herself. She and her posse knocked me in and didn't even look back." Sam choked back a sob. "The stupid bitch didn't even look back… and I almost drowned…"
"Danny," Pamela looked at him, "thank you. Thank you for bringing her back home. But now I think I need to take care of her now, ok?"
"Well, see you later," said Danny.
"… Ah…" said Madeline, "come back again, it was good too meet one of Danny's friends…"
"Danny," cried Sam, "wait."
Before Danny could ask why or what for, Sam wrapped him in a hug. She then kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you," she said, "Thank you."
"Hey, I still need to take you flying later, remember," he whispered in her ear.
She squeezed him hard for a moment before letting him go.
As mother and son rode back home in the station wagon, Danny heaved a great sigh.
"That was dramatic," said Madeline.
"Tell me about it,' was Danny's only response.
They got home and Danny did not speak for they rest of the evening. Both jasmine and Jack tried to ask what, but Madeline told them to shush and that she would tell them later. But not with words. One look was all it took.
After dinner Danny went up to his room to crash and Madeline then told Jack and jasmine what had happened at the Mansons house.
After every one had gone to bed, a figure appeared in Danny's room. There would be no rest for him that night.
Authors warning: next chapter you learn why this story is rated m. fight time.
