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 Twelve

If you need to leave the world you live in.

She stared into Danny's uncertain blue eyes. The darkness seemed almost suffocating now. Suddenly a voice came from the top of the stairs. "Samantha?" Violet eyes went hazy for a moment trying to match the voice she hadn't heard since she woke up with that of faded memories.

"Mom," she whispered. Sam got up and walked to the point were she was partway into the light streaming down from upstairs. She didn't go up though she spun around and looked at Danny who hadn't moved. He shrugged nodding at the stairs. He wanted her to do this on her own. After all the times he had babied her, suddenly he wanted her to step up and do something on her own. Why now?

The women darted down the stairs and pulled Sam to her. "Oh thank God you're alright! Where have you been staying." Sam didn't know what to say she just stood there and looked at the women that seemed genuinely concerned. The silence pressed on and the women let go of her.

Danny came to her side and slipped his hand into her shaking one. Sam squeezed it hard. It was amazing his hand didn't bruise with how often she would do this. Sam smelled her mother's expensive perfume and her stomach turned.

Her mind flashed back to the fight, the pain and suddenly she couldn't remember her mother being there. She glanced over at Danny. At times like this she almost wished that Danny could read her mind. Life would be so much simpler. "She's been staying with me," Danny answered.

"Danny?" her mom, asked. "I haven't seen you since graduation. How are you, dear?" Her mother put on her most cheerful façade as if having Danny there had suddenly changed everything.

Danny's eyes seemed to harden, the concern replacing itself with a cold look. "Shouldn't it be Sam that your asking that question to?" His eyes seemed to darken in anger.

Sam gently tugged on his hand and his eyes snapped back to hers. She shot him a pleading look. This is my battle, she thought desperately, hoping he was catching it. He seemed to cause he dropped his gaze and looked back at her apologetically. She squeezed his hand again.

Her mother cleared her throat and the two turned their attention back to her. "Well, no use standing down here in the dark," she laughed nervously. Turning on her heel she started up the stairs, Sam followed meekly and Danny trailed her. "Come on up stairs. I'm assuming you two need something."

Sam glanced at the Danny's book bag, and then back ahead. "We need some signatures, from you and grandma."

Her mother froze and asked in a horrified voice. "What for?" Sam glanced nervously at Danny. Suddenly not sure she could tell them.

"My parents want temporary custody of Sam until she graduates," Danny provided for her.

Sam's mom laughed bitterly. "Oh they do, do they. Any particular reason they think I can't raise my daughter?"

The two teens shared a confused glance. "But mom you signed a release that you refused to be my guardian."

Mrs. Manson spun around furious. "I did no such thing. And if you think lying about such things is going to make me sign anything, your wrong, Samantha. Maybe your father is right. We're better off without you." Sam stumbled backwards as if she'd been slapped.

"But dad's lawyer showed me the papers. They had your signature on them. If you just don't want to own up to dumpi—"

Mrs. Manson reached forward and grabbed the front of Sam's tank top pulling her closer. "You listen to me. I never did dump you on anybody."

Sam laughed cynically. "Except for my nanny, my day care teacher, my babysitter, and Danny's family."

Mrs. Manson dropped Sam's shirt shoving her backwards slightly. Sam stumbled and Danny grabbed her around the waist and helped her to stand. Her mom turned and glared at a picture of herself and Sam as a two-year-old that hung on the wall of the lounge. "You need to leave, Samantha. And if you ever come back, so help me God, I'll make sure you never do again." Sam stood there, tears welling up in her eyes. She felt Danny's arms tighten around her waist.

"Come on, Sam. It's time to go," he whispered. He gently pulled her towards the door. He pulled her out of the entryway. As he closed the storm door behind them, Danny turned to her. "I'm sorry."

"Stop saying that!" Sam almost screamed, tears streaming down her face now. "Maybe it would be better for the world if I just went away. Maybe I do need to go far away from here, so you and Tuck can just forget me and get on with your lives."

He shook his head. "Moving won't make us forget you, Sam. Nothing you can ever do will make us forget about you."

"Maybe it would be better if you would. I'm a lousy person, and a lousy friend."

Danny looked sadly at her and Sam tried to block out the pain in the gaze. "Let's just go home."

Sam looked hollowed-eyed back at the stone structure. "It's your home, Danny. Not mine. I appreciate everything, I really do. But I have to find where I belong. If there is anywhere."

"You'll find it, Sam," he promised.

She sighed. "If only I had half the faith you do, Danny, I would be okay."

A really short chapter. I'm sorry. This one was though to write for some reason. Anyway I have a note for you guys. HAS ANYONE ELSE CHECKED OUT THE MOST RECOMMENDED LIST YET. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. BOTH HELLO AND IMAGINARY ARE IN THE TOP TEN. AND IMAGINARY IS THE NUMBER ONE STORY. OMG, YOU GUYS ROCK! THANKS A MILLION YOU GUYS. And thanks to my reviewers this time: Shadow Sakura, Weeble Wobble Chic, The Fuzy Llama, I LUV FLUFF, dannyandsambelongtogether, autumngold, Fox of Light, Spice of Life, Moody Maud, RainbowSerenity, Ryo's destiny, SuperRyoga, Annie, Lady-Ashanya, The Good Girl, Samster The Hamster, PyroDragon2006, CoLdPLaYeR813, q.t a.k.a spice, Possesed Angel, AngelicxDeath, IceSugarHigh, and RavenForever. Thanks again everyone.