Author's Note: This wasn't the easiest or most fun chapter to write, but I think it's my favorite so far. I've said this in reviews, and I'll say it here. I'm beginning to really appreciate Tucker. The more I write his character, the more I see how many layers he has (like an onion, Hehe). This chapter goes out to him, and to all my rockin' reviewers.

Chapter 8- Tucker's Talks

Sam chose not to go to Danny's after school. It was just him and Tucker. Danny lay on his bed, tossing a rubber ball straight into the air and catching it. Tucker was spinning in the computer chair.

"I don't know what to do about her," Danny said suddenly. Tucker didn't even blink.

"How are you supposed to? She's a girl. You're a guy. Different brainwaves."

"But usually we're so connected. At times it was almost like we could read each other's minds. But now it's like we're blocked, and at the same time I've got these new feelings for her… well, maybe they're not new. But now they're surfacing, and—"

"Danny, stop. This is too scary. You're talking about your feelings!"

He chucked the ball at Tucker, hitting him square in the forehead. "I need to talk to someone, and I'm not about to call Jazz to listen to her psychobabble."

Tuck sighed. "Okay, then listen up. You and Sam have liked each other since 'Let there be light.' The fact that it's rising now isn't surprising. It's just a question of how to deal with it, and how to let Sam know you want her for who she is, not who she's become."

"What?"

"This is getting ridiculous," Tucker muttered, shaking his head. "Danny, you're oblivious, so maybe you didn't notice, but Sam's gone through a big change these past two weeks."

"Yeah, I noticed. Of course I did, but what does that have to do with what we're talking about?"

"Sam is insecure! If you come at her now, she's going to think you only want her because she's changed so much. You need to hold off until she's back to normal. That way she knows you like her for who she is."

"But what if she never comes back? I mean, I love the old Sam. What do I do if she never goes back to what she was?"

"And there he goes again… Listen, Danny, Sam hasn't morphed; she's just hidden beneath this new exterior. She just has to realize that she can't run away from who she is."

"But when will that happen?"

"Soon." Tucker stood up and started getting his stuff together. "I'll make sure of it."

She was staring at the ceiling again.

Are you going to fight her?

If she knew the answer to that, she wouldn't be staring at the ceiling.

Right. Anyway, I know this may sound shocking, but I don't know what to do.

Then shut up.

If she fought Paulina, she would win. There was no doubt about that; Sam had taken defense classes and had been battling ghosts with Danny for what seemed forever. Paulina would go down. But did Sam really want to fight? It would lower her to Paulina's level, and she had tried so hard to stay above that. Was the personal satisfaction worth it?

A knock on her doorframe drew her attention. Tucker walked in.

"Hey," he said. "Is Sam here?"

"Tuck, it's me."

"Really? Because I see no resemblance."

…That hurt.

"Just go away," Sam growled.

"No can do. You see, we need to talk."

"I've got enough voices, thanks."

"What?"

"Never mind. I just really don't feel like talking."

Tucker sighed and sat down heavily so the bed bounced.

"There are things we need to discuss. Like the new you. If you're going to continue this, you'll need more new clothes. And probably a hair stylist, on call 24/7. Plus new friends, of course. Can't be seen with two nerds; of course not. The new Sam—"

She shot out of bed to pace. "Tucker, there is no new Sam! It's still me, the same girl you've known for years! I'm still in here; it's just a different look so I could get back at Paulina. It's going to end, no matter what people think!"

Tuck stared penetratingly at her. "I knew that. I was just wondering if you did."

"I…" Sam faltered, falling back on the bed. "I don't know what to do."

"Sam, this is going to sound really weird coming from me, but you need to hear it. You are beautiful. Not like Paulina, who needed Desiree. You have the inner beauty they were talking about, and that's why people like you so much. They would have liked you before if they'd known you. They just chose not to, because many people fear what's different. The beauty has always been there, just waiting to come out. I think now would be a great time to embrace it. Be you, Sam. It's what you need, and it's what we all want."

Tucker got up and left before she could even think of what to say.

Late that night, Sam was awoken by a strange noise. She strained to hear, and it sounded as if someone was in her closet. By then used to strange occurrences in the middle of the night, Sam turned on the bedside lamp. She could see sneakers and jeans peaking out from behind her closet door. Things were being thrown across her room left and right, accompanied by low muttering. Sam got up and walked around to find a white t-shirt and messy black hair to go with the jeans and sneakers.

"Danny, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"Considering this closet is so big, it's really messy," he replied, not answering her.

"It is now. What are you doing here?" she repeated.

Once again, no answer came. Instead she heard an exclamation of victory and Danny emerged, carrying her oldest and chunkiest black combat boots. He shoved them into her arms.

"Wear those tomorrow."

"Why?"

"Because," he said, smiling. "They're you. Personally, I prefer them over the heels."

He leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek, then sunk through her floor and disappeared.

"I'm scared," Tucker confided in Danny the next day.

Once again they were standing just inside the Mansons' front door, waiting for Sam to come down. She was late again, and she hadn't been late since that first day with the changed outfits. Danny smiled.

"I'm not."

A door opened somewhere upstairs and Tucker spun around, lowering his head. "I can't look," he muttered. There was silence for a suspended five seconds, and then Danny clutched Tucker's arm like he'd never let go. Tucker's heart pounded. "Do you need help standing up?" he asked warily.

For a second all he heard was Danny's shallow breathing. Then, "Hell yes."

Tucker turned around slowly, almost dreading what he would see. When he caught sight of their female best friend, his arm shot out to steady Danny.

Her hair was still down, but there was something different about it. It was… messier. She wore a dog-collar around her neck along with a large dragon medallion necklace that settled right on her breasts. The sleeveless blouse looked like it was made of the deepest maroon linen, but as only the top was showing, it was hard to tell. A black lace-up bodice covered her stomach and breasts, accentuating her curves to the infinitive degree. Her skirt was completely black and reached her knees, and from under it came Sam's long legs clad in maroon netted stockings. Danny's favorite combat boots clunked as she descended the steps.

Sam looked hot—hotter than she had even for the past two weeks. And she finally looked like herself.

Danny's mouth was dry, and he struggled to lick his lips. He barely dared to blink, lest the dark angel in front of him disappear. Sam grabbed her book-bag and stood before them, smiling.

"What?" she asked with attitude. "Am I too Goth for you?"

Does Sam rock or what? Yeah, she's back, and better (emotionally) than ever. Now, on to review responses from last chapter.

crazybluephantom: FLUFF HEALS THE SOUL! Anyway, the pillow fight was one of my favorite parts, I could really see it in my mind. As for updating, I try to keep up with myself. I know that when I read stories I get angry at people who don't review quickly, so I'm trying to outdo my own expectations.

SetsuntaMew: Happy? Lol yeah Tucker finally came up with a good plan (besides getting his two best friends together). Your poor cats! That's possibly the…(counts chapters)… seventh time you scared them! I must tell you now, there are ten chapters. Cats only have nine lives… do the math and distract them while you're reading!

SilverSummerMoon: You do that, and tell me how it works out. When I go to Six Flags tomorrow I'll do it and see how fast my friends try to commit me.

Hyperactively Bored: WOOT! Now there are three people on this world standing outside screaming Fluff Heals the Soul! It's spreading! Randomness and fluff go together so well, don't you think?

SR-71 fanatic: Yes, fluff heals the soul! It is a known fact, just didn't have a catch-phrase yet… so here it is! Woot! Spread it around!

Kats02980416: I just got the best "eureka" moment, you have no idea. I'm holding off on telling anyone till the last chapter, but man, you rock! Thanks for the inspiration, and thumbs up for the whole review! You're really catching the meaning!

Robert Teague: Yes, I was going for profound. That whole scene is me, saying "Look at this! It's the entire point to the story!" As for another think coming, I need to stop thinking when I type. I think one thing and type something completely different. Thanks for pointing out the typo, I'm going back to fix it right now.

Dun Dun Duncan: Hey, and thanks for coming back! I'm glad you like the story!

Myst: Devious is fun, that's all I can say. Anyway, threaten me all you want. If I don't have a chapter or don't want to write, I don't. Simple as that. But you guys lucked out with this story, because it's so fun to write!

FLUFF HEALS THE SOUL!

--GS