Imaginary

Summary: Everything has a consequence now Sam has to learn to live with hers. All Danny can do is hope it doesn't kill her.

Rating: PG-13 for mature themes and language.

Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom, Butch Hartman does. I do not own Imaginary, Evanescence does.

Chapter Ten

Let me stay where the wind will whisper to me.

Sam was up and had already folded away the hide-a-bed before Danny got downstairs. He blinked groggily at her. "How long have you been up?" He slurred.

Sam picked at a little spot on the couch cushion. "Didn't go back to sleep," she murmured.

Danny could have smacked himself. He suddenly felt horrible for going back to sleep. Poor Sam was up trying to sort all this out by herself. "I'm sorry."

"Will you stop saying that?" She glared at him a moment before dropping her eyes to the couch again. "You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for. I haven't dealt with this in the greatest way, but you were there every single moment you needed to be." She sighed and fell over to her side. "I'm tired of thinking. Can we call up Tuck and go rent some mind-numbingly stupid movies?"

Danny sat down next to her feet. "Sure that's what you want to do?"

She nodded. "And I'm craving some Mint Oreo Ice Cream." She smiled weekly over at Danny.

"Great! She's only two months pregnant and I'm already dealing with cravings."

Sam laughed shortly. "You're not dealing with cravings, I am. And I think until you have to deal with either morning sickness or me going schizophrenic on you, you have no right to complain."

Danny looked down at her. "I can live with that."

Sam's eyes drifted shut. "At least one of us can," she whispered. She took a shaky breath and then opened her eyes, slight traces of tears in the purple depths. "Thanks for everything, Danny. I really do appreciate it." Danny didn't know what to say, so he just sat there trying to look supportive. "I'm sick of thinking. Today everything is going on hold. If either of you mention lawyers, babies, or families today so help me, I'll hurt you."

"I'll make sure the message is passed," he assured her. "You want some breakfast or just wait for some ice cream?"

She sighed as she sat up. "I'd better eat something. Won't do me any good to end up back in the hospital."

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

The three of them tromped through the door at about six thirty hoping to get some dinner. "Mom," Danny called. "We're home."

"We're in the kitchen, dear," drifted back at them. The three exchanged a look all clearly trying to think of the last time Danny's parents weren't in the lab. The three of them ventured of together. They stopped dead in the doorway there sat a man in a suit with an open briefcase, papers everywhere, and a laptop whirring gently in front of him. They all three knew instantly what he was.

He turned and smiled brightly at them. "And this lovely little girl must be Samantha."

Danny glanced over at Sam. She was sporting her vacant lost look again. But she looked pale, like all the blood had just drained from her face. "Hi," she whispered, obviously a knee-jerk reaction.

Maddie smiled at her, offering he chair to Sam. "This is Bryce Steihling, Sam. He's going to help us try to get guardian status for you until you finish high school at least."

Bryce offered his hand and Sam just stood there staring at it. Danny looked over at Tuck who nodded to the lawyer and then Sam. Danny sighed, and put a hand in the small of her back, guiding her forward. Once Sam took the first step it seemed to break her trance. She shook his hand quickly and pulled her hand back as if burned.

"I'm going to try as hard as I can to keep you out of foster homes, Sam." She stared at the floor not responding. The moment crept on, everyone obviously uncomfortable but unwilling to break the silence.

"So if you lose, I'll never get my life back."

Bryce's patented smile faltered. "Well, I wouldn't look at it that way but—"

"But that's what it is," She cut him off. "You're not the one whose world is falling apart. You just have to sit there with your fake smile, and earn your money."

"Sam!" Maddie scorned.

"I hate people like you," Sam spit out. With that she spun on her heel and ran for the door. Danny got in her path and grabbed on and held tight to her. Sam twisted and wriggled and screamed.

"We're going to go talk. We'll be right back," Danny said. Taking Sam's wrist in his he led her out of the room and up the stairs. She was sobbing uncontrollably now. He turned and led her to his room. He walked over to his bed, Sam following meekly now.

She collapsed onto his bed and curled up into a fetal position. Danny felt so helpless for all the times they had been through this, one would think he would be figuring it out. Each time he felt more helpless than the time before. It was so much more heart wrenching. He sat next to her and rubbed little circles on her back.

After about five minutes she calmed down enough that Danny could make out what she was saying. "I hate my life."

"Don't say that," he whispered. "Please, Sam, don't ever say that."

She raised her head and her next words broke Danny's heart. "I do. I hate it. Why couldn't you have just let me die?"

I know it's short again. Grrr… Imaginary is so much harder to write than Hello was. Wonder why. But thanks to everyone who's reading it anyways. And especially those who are reviewing: Annie, Wind Cat x5, Shadow Sakura, Sakura Scout, IceSugarHigh, RavenForever, Piezo, Weeble Wobble Chic, autumngold, Moody Maud, PyroDragon2006, Silverflare07, Possesed Angel, Storm Sword, RainbowSerenity, AngelicxDeath, Samster The Hamster, Lady-Ashanya, Ryo's destiny, and Spice Of Life. You guys are awesome.

P.S. I just started doing request so if anyone has one email me.