A/N: HOLY MOLEY! MORE THAN 80 REVIEWS! I...I feel so loved, guys. T^T *Moved Tears* I love you people. *Sniff* Longest chapter I've written, FYI! Yay! Enjoy!

Ch. 11

"Who goes there?!" a voice roars from behind the golden door.

"It's Sam Manson, Pandora!" Sam calls, resisting the urge to smirk at the horrified expressions of her classmates…and Paulina.

The extravagant door swings open, revealing a tall woman with blue skin, red eyes, long, pink hair, and four arms. She wears Grecian armor, and a spear stands at her side. A smile splits her face.

"Ah, Sam! How are you, child?" she plucks the teen into a hug.

"I'm well, Pandora, thank you for asking. We have a bit of a predicament, though," she motions to her classmates…and Paulina.

Alex waves nervously, "H-hi, Miss Pandora."

Jaden nods from behind him with a shaking salutation.

Crystal stares at Paulina, who stares up at the ghost with wide eyes. They sweep over the ghost quickly.

"How did you get your hair so thick?"

Crystal shakes her head and rubs her temples, and here I thought you'd do something interesting.

Pandora laughs, "Well, you can tell me over lunch, if you're hungry?"

"Thanks," Sam replies, "We'd love to join you."

"I could use some new company anyway. I eat with Danny twice a month, but I never feel like it's enough," the larger ghost sighs, leading the group into her palace, "Honestly; he's like a son to me. That reminds me…you're a couple now, aren't you?" she smiles slyly, "Congratulations."

"Thanks," Sam swallows.

"Where is he, anyway?"

"He's…he's with another group. I'll explain over lunch."

"Of course," she leads them to a long, marble dining table, "We'll be eating in here instead of out where I eat with your boyfriend, seeing as we have more people."

"So how is the Box Ghost's service coming?"

"It's working," she assures, "He's become good friends with Argos."

"That's good," they take seats near one another, the other students following behind. The room is large and open, the Zone's light pouring between the pillars and glinting off of the gold leafing that decorates the table. Servants bustle in with chamomile tea and honey, which Sam sips gratefully.

"So, this predicament of yours?"Pandora removes her helmet, placing it on the table beside her. Her long hair spills around her shoulders.

"These people are some classmates…and Paulina…from school," she begins, "some idiot decided that a field trip into the Infinite Realms would be a good idea, so they asked the Fentons to bring us here. Danny, Tucker, and I thought it was a stupid idea, but…they didn't listen."

"They didn't listen to the only humans who come here regularly?" the ghost quirks an eyebrow.

"Well…they don't exactly know…" Sam admits sheepishly, "They don't know anything about Danny. As far as they know, he's just a normal, human boy who is always disappearing during class and who gets shoved around by Dash Baxter."

"I see," a smile twitches at the corner of her mouth, "continue."

"Anyway, something weird happened with Danny. He just…passed out…and then the speeder just exploded. When I woke up, I found these four, and managed to contact Tucker over the radio. We tried to get Danny, but…" her voice cracks, "but he didn't answer. Eventually, his mom picked up and…he's hurt, Pandora," she whispers, "Mrs. Fenton thinks he's…" Tea trickles over the edge of her teacup, and she places it down with shaking fingers. The other students stare, some frozen mid-sip.

A blue hand grasps her dark shoulder, "I'm sorry, Sam," tears bud at the corners of her crimson eyes, "I'm sure he'll be fine. Danny is strong; he fought all the way through my maze to tell me about the Box Ghost's whereabouts. He's trained with several of my soldiers when visiting. I'm sure he'll be okay."

"You're right," she forces a smile, "I just have to believe in him."

"Sometimes, that's all you can do, especially with someone like him."

Sam laughs, "Yeah. Anyway, we've coordinated the three groups; we plan for the Far Frozen."

"It's quite a ways," she hums.

"I was wondering if you could help somehow. We'll try to get there in two days, but I'm not sure if everyone here can meet that pace, especially if we're low on supplies. Coats," she adds, "coats would be nice. We'll freeze solid otherwise."

"I'm certain we have some you can use," she replies, taking a bite of her stuffed eggplant, "Though I would still suggest that you not wander in the Frozen Lands longer than you must."

"I'll go straight to Frostbite," Sam assures, "I have to tell him about Danny's…situation."

"Wise choice. He can be a bit…exuberant about Danny, no?"

"You know how it is with a boy and his snow monster," she chuckles, and Pandora follows suit.

"…Snow monster?" Jaden coughs.

"The residents of the Far Frozen are a race of yeti. Big, white, furry creatures. They look vicious, but they're really nice. Their king, Frostbite, has a soft spot for Danny. They can get us home really quickly."

"That's good, because I need a mani-pedi," Paulina whines, inspecting her cuticles, "I wonder what color the ghost-boy would want my nails…"

Pandora raises an eyebrow, glancing down at Sam, "The ghost-boy, huh?" she smirks, "I believe young Phantom has a penchant for black or purple."

"You know the ghost-boy?" the cheerleader leans forward, "He's mine, just so you know!"

"He visits here occasionally."

Sam bites her lip, trying not to smile.

"Really?"

"Yes," the ghost replies, "He's quite skilled with a sword by now. A natural, as it were."

"Of course!" the Latina swoons, "one day, he'll come and save me from a ghost and he'll carry me off to get married–"

Sam buries her face in her hands, her cheeks turning red in her attempts to remain impassive, her shoulders shaking in silenced giggles. Crystal's mouth hangs open slightly, her eyebrows lost in her platinum bangs. Jaden and Alex snicker at the end of the table. Pandora's fist clenches around her spear, her lips pressed into a poorly-suppressed smile.

"Do ghosts even get married?" Jaden wonders aloud.

"Of course we do," Pandora answers, "We date too – if we're interested. Kitty and Johnny Thirteen, for instance. Or Skulker and Ember; Spectra and Bertrand."

"The Box Ghost and Lunch Lady will be married someday."

"And how would you know that?"

"It's amazing what you can know when Clockwork feels forthcoming," the goth replies dryly.

"I see. Danny visits him as well, doesn't he?"

"Yeah. Clockwork teaches him about the politics around here. The Observants, the Ancients, history of the Infinite Realms…all that. Oh, and Latin…he's pretty fluent in Latin nowadays."

"He would certainly be the best tutor on those subjects," Pandora laughs, "At this rate, he'll be a true scholar of our world."

"He also knows a fair bit of Esperanto that Tucker taught him so he can talk to Wulf."

"Another good ally to have," she nods absently.

"Wait, wait, wait," Alex interjects, "Danny Fenton is learning two languages, the history and structure of the Ghost Zone, and gets passing grades in school?"

"No wonder he falls asleep in class," Jaden mutters.

"He's also familiar with all Fenton equipment," Sam adds, "not as familiar as Tucker, but still familiar enough. He's smarter than he lets on; he just has a tendency to put too much on his plate."

"Indeed, and you've only covered half of his life," Pandora mutters.

"That would be all of it," Sam smirks at some inside joke, finishing her last bite of eggplant.

As the rest of the group…and Paulina…finish their meals, a few servants come forward with some thick coats, along with a basket of food and a pair of waterskins.

"We'll carry our own coats. Who's willing to carry the basket?"

Jaden sweeps it from the table, "I'll handle it."

"I'll carry the water," Alex offers.

"Thanks," she smiles, before turning to Pandora, "Thank you, Pandora. The food was amazing, and you've been so helpful…"

"Just slap Danny for me when you see him. That boy needs to learn that he can't worry us like this," she winks.

"I'll do that," after I kiss him senseless…or maybe before…

She escorts them to the door, "Be careful. Thankfully, this area is relatively clear, but rumor has it that Walker has been on a rampage lately."

Sam's nose wrinkles in distaste, "Got it. Have a nice day, Pandora, and thanks again!"

The group…and Paulina…makes its way down the steps and out into the air, towards the Far Frozen.

"Hey, Sam!"

"Tucker, hey!" She grins, "Survive Skulker?"

"Yeah. How's your group doing?"

"We just finished talking to Pandora. Have you heard from Mrs. Fenton?"

"No, I was just about to check in–"

"Beware! I am the Danny-ghost, master of all things boyfriend-ly and doom-filled monologues, and I am full of remorse for missing out on Pandora's luncheon – of doom! – with my girlfriend!"

She freezes mid-air, her breath catching, "…Danny?" she whispers quietly, "Danny, you're…" Crystal leads the others – and Paulina – away to rest on a nearby rock. Sam makes a note to thank her later.

"…as excited as I am that you're alive, man, I'm giving you two some…private time…I'll be on channel three."

"Thanks, Tuck," Danny replies softly.

"Danny?" she whispers.

"Yeah, Sam?"

"You're really okay?"

"For the most part. My powers really used themselves up, but I don't dare gorge myself on the ether here. Remember what happened last time?"

"Your eyes were green for hours," she laughs, bushing her bangs away from her eyes, "We had quite a time hiding them from your parents. So no Phantom, huh?"

"Not right now. I can barely summon an ecto-blast."

An uncomfortable silence settles over them, and she clenches her shaking fingers. He's alive; her Danny is alive. Tears of relief trickle down her cheeks.

"And really? Beware? Master of 'all things boyfriend-ly?!' Good boyfriends don't let their girlfriends think they're…that they're…!"

"I know. I'm sorry," he whispers, "Not exactly my choice, you know?"

"I'm going to kill you!"

"Finish killing me, you mean," she can hear the grin in his voice, "Getting me into the portal did half of the work."

"I–"

"I wouldn't change it for the world," he replies gently, "It's quite a ride with you, Sam. I don't regret a single moment."

"Spew all the sap you want," she sneers, "I'm still going to finish killing you."

"For years and years to come," he mutters quietly.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Silence falls again, "So…what was it like?"

"What was what like?"

"D-dying…or…whatever actually happened…" her throat tightens around the words.

"I…" she can hear him shift, and his voice sounds strained, "It was dark. I…I couldn't tell if my eyes were opened or closed. My chest…felt really heavy."

She clenches her jaw, he's okay now, Sam, don't cry. He's alive.

"I…realized that I wasn't breathing. It was weird; it wasn't like 'Hey, I'm not breathing, I need to do that!' it was more…" he sighs in frustration, and she can see him rubbing the back of his neck, "I realized something was just wrong. I didn't know why it was wrong, I just…knew. It was so quiet there, Sam. I…I couldn't hear my heartbeat either. I thought the silence was going to crush me," his voice breaks, "I tried to snatch some of the emotions floating around, but I didn't have the strength. I didn't even realize they were about me, I just…"

She covers her mouth with a shaking, purple-nailed hand to stifle a sob.

"And then I heard a very familiar voice shouting at me. 'Daniel James Fenton! Don't you dare do this to me!' It saved my life. Sadness, grief…alone, they have to be pulled in. Anger, on the other hand, has direction to it," she can hear him smiling again, "It slammed into me and gave me enough strength to reach the others. You saved my life, Sam, from miles away. Ghostly CPR at a distance."

"I hate you, you idiot!" she sniffs unconvincingly, "If you ever do this to me again…!"

"Trust me, I don't want to. Hurt like crazy; in a lot of ways," he winces.

"…Tell me the rest," she demands, "How you woke up, how you explained things to your mom, all of it."

"…Maybe we should include Tuck so he knows my story too?"

"…Fine," she growls, "When we meet up, Daniel Fenton, we have a lot of talking to do."

"Yes, my Queen of Ghosts," he growls playfully, "lots and lots of talking."

"After I slap you for that comment."

He sighs, "Yeah. I'll get Tucker. It's his turn, so we may be a few minutes."

"Got it. We'll continue towards the Far Frozen."

"Talk to you in a few…I love you, Sam."

"I hate you, Danny Fenton," she grins, hearing him laugh on the other side of the radio.

-BREAK-

"…Danny?" Crystal's eyes snap over to where Sam has frozen mid-flight, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, "Danny, you're…"

The blond ushers the others away to a nearby rock to give her some privacy, noting a grateful glance from Sam.

"We told her he'd be okay," Alex mutters.

"Thank goodness we're taking a break," Paulina whines, "I need my beauty-rest, seeing as I can't get a shower. Ugh, why did we have to get stranded in the Ghost Zone? Why not a tropical spa?"

"Gee, Paulina, I don't know why the ghost that attacked us didn't think of that," Alex snips, earning a chuckle from his best friend.

"I don't either," she moans, running her fingers through her long, black hair.

Crystal keeps her eyes trained on Sam, watching her move between distraught, angry, and overjoyed.

"I've never seen Sam show so much emotion before," Jaden comments, following her gaze, "She's usually so calm and snarky. She seems…almost perky, here in the Ghost Zone. And when she's with Danny…"

She's perky for the sake of group morale, Crystal thinks, she has to lead us in these…less-than-ideal circumstances. Besides, it's probably all she can do to resist the urge to kill Paulina. Actually, she realizes dryly, she's probably imagining how to kill her and write it off as an unfortunate accident in the dangerous Ghost Zone.

"…You thirsty, Crystal?" Alex inquires, holding out a waterskin.

She nods, taking it gratefully.

"You don't talk much, do you?" He smiles.

She shakes her head.

"Why?"

She shrugs, I just don't want to.

"Hm. Well, you're pretty cool; Manson seems to like you, anyway."

What makes you say that?

"I mean, you seem to always know what she needs us to do; pretty cool," he smiles.

"So, Snow-Queen," Paulina begins, "You never told me what brand of lipstick you're using–"

It's not like you can buy it right now anyway.

"–and that's just like…so not cool."

Like I care, she snorts.

The corner of Jaden's mouth quirks upwards, "Paulina, she doesn't talk. How is she supposed to tell you?"

"She probably has it in her bag," she rolls her eyes.

Blue isn't even your color; so no, it isn't in my bag, she shakes her head.

"Seriously?" the Latina gasps.

For the sake of all who can actually pull off blue lipstick; no, it isn't.

"But–"

"We need to get going!" Sam calls, her eyes sparkling, "We need to reach the safety of the Far Frozen as soon as possible!"

"Got it, Sam! Be right there!" Alex responds, holding his hand out to help Crystal stand. She takes it hesitantly, and he grins, pulling her into the air.

Jaden flies up next to his friend and whispers something in his ear, earning an elbow in the ribs, "Seriously, Al?"

"I better not end up on the list, dude."

"Got it," Jaden croaks.

Crystal resists the urge to laugh, I suppose this could be worse.

A/N: Tucker's turn next chapter! A BIG thanks to all who read/review/follow/fav! For all who are interested, I did sketches (like I did for the main trio) of 'Team Sam…and Paulina.' The link is on my profile. Enjoy!