Lyrics by Ed Sheeran - The A Team

The man glared at his son, shaking his head. "I should have known you'd never measure up to anything."

Why did he hate him so much? What had he done?

The boy looked up at his father with big blue eyes, showing the man his six-year-old smile. "You know, sometimes I dream about killing you," the boy's grin was missing several teeth, making for an innocent picture, "but then you'd stain the carpet, and mom and I would be stuck with you forever."

~Stuck in her daydream

Been this way since eighteen

But lately

Her face seems

Slowly sinking

Wasting

Crumbling like

Pastries

They scream

The worst things in life come free to us~

And so Amity Park was left in near ruins last night due to a ghost attack. Homes and furniture can be seen in pieces on this busy street, forcing schools and jobs to close until the city is restored. Many people were injured, but none have been reported dead during this attack. Citizens arre asked to stay in doors for the time being. Public officials are currently discussing a possible evacuation when more information is gathered on the case.

Sam changed the channel, no longer able to watch footage of Amity Park in despair. It was hard to believe all these people were suffering, but the only thing Sam seemed to care about was Danny's well-being. Did that make her cruel, for ignoring the world for one boy?

She twirled the device Vlad have her between her hands when the door opened. Tucker walked in covered in bandages and leaves. His injuries from Danny were still healing. Sam couldn't believe Tucker stayed by his side after every beating.

"Tucker!" Sam said, standing. "Why are you wearing leaves?"

"I had to sneak out the window," he brushed off the leaves from his shirt, "just to get here. My parents didn't want me leaving and the streets are deserted. I just wanted to tell Danny I can't see him for a while."

"Oh." Sam suddenly felt alone again. Tucker was the only other person in the same position as her, and he wouldn't even be here to help. "Why did you come all this way though? You could have called."

"Good byes over text message have never been my thing," Tucker shrugged.

Sam raised an eyebrow. "You sure you're not dating Danny?"

"Nope." He grinned. "He's all yours."

Arms wrapped around her, and without warning Sam was cuddled in Maddie's embrace. She could feel her muscles tense instead of loosen, not entirely sure how to return the gesture.

"I'm sorry I had to leave suddenly, but I had to convince the mayor we could contain this," the woman explained, still wearing her coat and shoes.

"Can you?" Sam asked. Her words stopped Maddie's smile, taking in Sam's emotionless face.

"We'll make this work," Maddie said desperately, running a hand through her red hair.

Sam turned around to face Maddie, suddenly angry. "The only person you're thinking about is Danny. What happens during his next hissy fit? What happens when he manages to finally kill someone?"

"Danny would never do that."

"When Danny's...like that, he can't control his actions. He attacked his best friend." Sam remembered finding Tucker on the street, thinking he was dead. "Are you willing to put someone else's life on the line just so Danny can be normal? No part of him is normal."

Maddie nodded, dabbing at tears in her eyes. "I know what you're saying, Sam. You're right. What I'm doing is foolish and selfish, but I am a mother. I can only think of my son." She shut her eyes, swallowing. "Until we find a cure, Danny will be under house arrest. That's why I need you here Sam." Maddie grabbed her hand. "Danny will be completely isolated. He needs a friend. I know its not entirely fair to ask this from you, but I don't want to destroy my son's sanity in the process. Promise me you'll visit him, and convince him he's worth saving."

Sam stared down at her hands. "Is he?"

"You certainly are a woman of moral principle," Maddie smiled down at the confused teen, "so I will leave that decision up to you."

Sam found herself outside Danny's hospital room, pacing outside his door. Tucker had left after chatting with Danny, and Sam wasn't sure what to do. She was still freaked out over the events that took place. Is that what happened to Valerie?

Sam took a step back, shaking her head. This was crazy. Every part of it, and she was stupid to stay here, but the thought of abandoning Danny was even more frightening. Sam inhaled, opening the door. When she walked in Danny had a gun pressed to his head.

"Dan-"

The gun fired, exploding in her ears. Sam managed to run over and tackle Danny to the ground. The gun went off, but his hand moved, and the bullet wedged itself into the cabinets along the wall.

Sams breathing was heavy as she pried the gun from his fingers. He gave it easily, his eyes following as Sam disregarded the weapon by tossing it on the ground.

"What are you doing?" Sam demanded, straddling Danny on the tile flooring. "Are you crazy?"

Despite Sams heated expression, Danny remained emotionless. His blue eyes remained bleak and lifeless. "I've caused enough trouble."

Sam was shaking on top of him, finding the courage to scream at him. "You need to stop pitying yourself!"

"Pitying myself?" Danny sat up, and Sam was forced to sit on his lap. "I hurt my best friend! I've asked him to lie to his parents about the injuries I've given him. They think Tucker's doing it to himself. He may have to go through therapy because of me."

"Danny..."

"And what about you? You took me in that night when I was Phantom, and how do I repay you?" He touched her neck, which no longer showcased the ugly scars. "I strangled you enough to leave a blue bruise, and you were forced to wear a scarf so no one would question it. How can I not hate myself when I'm hurting the people I love? I'm endangering the town."

Sam took a deep breath, considering his words. "This is dangerous and scary," Sam admitted, "but do you have any idea what your mother sacrificed to keep you alive? Even Tucker risked everything for you, and you're going to throw away their efforts because you're scared?"

Danny glared, regaining his anger. "I have the power to kill everyone, including them. Why are you so desperate to keep me alive? I scare you, right? Just kill me already!"

"Promise me you'll visit him, and convince him he's worth saving."

Sam stared down at her hands. "Is he?"

Sam balled her hands up in fists, clutching the front of his shirt. "You don't know how I feel at all."

Danny frowned. "I have a pretty good idea-"

"No."

He froze at the tone of voice Sam carried. She still gripped the collar of is shirt, angry. "I've managed to make my parents hate me. They were disappointed and embarrassed of me. I was selfish and scared. So they used to hit me, so what? Do you see me holding a gun to my head?" Sam leaned over so she was hovering directly over his face. Danny could see the true violet intensity of her eyes. "You think you're a monster? Monsters don't wear masks or live in sewers, Danny. They aren't shadows or have super powers. Someone like my parents, who can hit a kid with such hatred. Someone like me, who can ignore others pain and pretend its not happening. I run away at the first sign of pain. I can't stand any of this, but I stayed here because of you. Despite what a coward I am, I wanted to help you get through this because I believed out of all the people I've ever met, you're the one who deserves a second chance."

His eyes were wide in amazement. Sam wiped the tears off her face, getting up and retrieving the gun. "If you still want to end your life, go ahead." She held the gun out to him. "You'll be an even bigger coward than me."

Danny took the gun out of her grasp, keeping his gaze on hers. He stared at Sam's unwavering violet eyes in astonishment.

"Is that what happened?"

Sam closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "The reason why I've been so defensive around you is because of your rage. I know what its like to live under that anger and pain. I promised myself I'd keep away from that life." Sam opened her eyes and smiled. "But we all believe you're someone worth saving. I'll do everything I can to help you."

Danny took a shaky breath, revealing a relieved smile. "Sam..."

"You two lovebirds done yet?"

"Tucker!" Danny's cheeks turned red at the sight of his friend in the doorway. Only then did he notice his hand outstretched to Sam, and quickly pulling it to his side.

"I thought you left already?" Sam asked.

"I just wanted to grab a bite before I go and give my best friend one last good bye."

"Alright then." Sam stood up, and Danny realized that she had been straddling his lap that entire time. His face burned as she left the room.

"Dude, not cool," Danny grumbled at his best friend.

"Hey, if you can go from suicidal to romantic in a second I think an interruption is nessecary." Tucker's face took on a serious expression as he helped his friend to his feet. "Seriously, man, don't scare me like that."

"Don't worry. It won't happen again."

"And don't worry about Sam. You'll get another chance." He threw his arm over Danny's shoulder, hugging his dear embarrassed friend.

"I wasn't going to do anything!" Danny objected.

"Yeah. Sure. You might want to get rid of that blush the next time you say that. It'll be a lot more convincing."

"I think your parents know you've escaped now. You should probably go home," Danny murmured, ignoring Tucker's statement.

"Yeah, just give me a call if you'd like to use some of my pick up lines." He winked. "D F for damn fine."

So shy Danny finally makes a reappearance. Big change from my other fanfic, but this definitely sticks closer to the real thing. Sorry for the late update guys. I wasn't entirely sure how to tie up the loose ends of this chapter, but I think they turned out pretty well.