Hello, I'm back with chapter three, of one of my most favorite stories to work with, might I add, as I love working with the whole D/S romance. By the way, coming in three weeks is a brand new HP fanfic, Before the Letter, and a DP fanfic, Violet. Also, I apologize for not updating Fiction which will be updated Monday!

For my readers, so you're not online for about an hour, it would probably be best if you cut and pasted this chapter onto your computer, cause this is an extremely long chapter. I think I ended it with, in fact, fifteen pages.

Let me see, thanks to my reviewers! You guys are great! Glad you like this story!

Sahira Flame, rachie, Karaniya-broken, GreyRavenNorth, getfuzzyfan04, Dannys-Ghostly-Girl, Caz 33, AngelofLight, Enula, Indome, Dooley, Hopeless474, Mrs. Granger-Weasley, fatlazikat, waterangel18, Divagurl277

And now on to chapter four!

Chapter Four

Empty Handed

Danny and Sam didn't notice the redhead girl coming up behind them as they were busy kissing passionately, and didn't notice her until there was a gasp from her.

Sam pulled away, reluctantly, and turned around to see Karissa staring at them, eyes wide, one eyebrow raised.

"Karissa," she said.

"Sorry I interrupted," Karissa snapped.

Sam wondered why she was angry. She was still in his arms, his warm hand remaining on her back, and she didn't want to let go.

Hadn't this been what she wanted ever since she first laid eyes on him? Ever since the first time she had looked into his blue eyes, ever since the first time he had spoken to her? It seemed like dreams did come true.

Danny didn't move, and didn't want to either. He couldn't believe what had just happened. Was it true she felt the same way? That she loved him like he did her? Their kiss had surely just proved it, right?

"If you're done, I'd like to stay out of trouble, and get my hair dry," Karissa said. Danny was confused. Why was Karissa acting like she was furious?

She was probably angry that they had gotten into trouble. But she had been involved with sneaking in too.

"Sure," Sam said, pulling away from his hands. She stared up deeply into his eyes and smiled, hoping that they could continue later.

"Good."

Karissa took the lead, and the two followed her as she opened the door Danny had come from a crack and peeked out.

"Come on."

They followed her down the stairs to the second floor and then walked the long hallway to room 203.

"Should we order pizza?" she asked, reading the room plates.

"At four o'clock in the morning?" Danny asked.

"Um…hun, it's almost six," she said, holding out her watch to show him.

"Really?" Sam and Danny said simultaneously.

"Yeah."

"Pizza sounds good, but not for breakfast," he said.

"I agree," Sam said. Maybe we should just wait until the hotel's breakfast bar opens or the Green House restaurant they have here."

"Yeah, okay," Karissa said, stopping at the door.

Sam took out her key from the towel she had, and zipped it in and then out. The lock clicked open and the three entered the room.

"Wow, it's freezing in here," Sam announced, wrapping her towel around her.

"Yeah," Danny agreed, looking around intently. Surely he was being paranoid, and the hotel just had the air conditioning on or something? Please…….

"Well, duh, the room keepers must have the air on," Karissa said, walking over to the window, where below it was the temperature control was. She pressed a few buttons, and it made a different noise.

Danny let out a sigh of relief and turned his head to get a clearer view of Sam, who was staring back at him.

God….he'd never loved anyone more till this day as he stared into her beautiful amethyst eyes. He'd have to be the luckiest person on earth to find someone like her.

"I'm going to go dry my hair," Karissa said, stepping between them and breaking their eye contact as she disappeared into the bathroom.

"Good thing I don't need to use the bathroom then," Danny muttered as the door closed with a slam.

Sam sighed. "Kari's kind of self centered," she admitted. She walked over to her bed and rummaged through her suitcase. She looked up, as if she didn't find what she wanted, and saw the TV sitting desolate on the wall.

"Do you want to watch a movie while we're waiting?" she asked.

"Sounds good," he said.

She grabbed the remote control as Danny sat down on his own bed, leaning his head against the wooden headboard.

"Movies….Action/Adventure?" she asked, looking over at him.

"Cool," he said.

She pressed the button and a list of movies appeared, and she read them off. "Out of Time, The Punisher, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, and Van Helsing," she said excitedly.

"I love that movie," they said together.

Sam blushed. Coincidence? That they liked the same movie, the same sci-fi, fantasy, vampiric movies?

Danny grinned, looking down. "Van Helsing then?"

"That's great," she said. She pressed the button, and there was a warning of the price before the movie started.

Even though it was his favorite movie, Danny found himself zoning out. Sam was speaking along silently to the words, obviously memorized. She was perfect for him. She was funny, adventurous, and wasn't afraid to show her true feelings. If only she knew how he really felt about her…..

Sam tried to focus on the movie, snapping back to reality to go along with the lines that she had memorized, but she couldn't. All she could think about was Danny. She'd never felt a love so true with anyone else but him. And even though she'd met him only a couple of hours ago, she felt as if she'd known him forever. And she loved him….she admitted it.

Karissa came out of the bathroom, her hair straighter than it had been, but still slightly frizzy. But that didn't mean she didn't look like a supermodel. Sam felt insignificant compared to her best friend. How is it that Danny liked her then?

"Oh, you're watching that movie again?" she asked her.

"Van Helsing is awesome," Danny said, not taking his eyes off the screen as Hugh Jackman fought against Dr. Jeckyll/Mr. Hyde.

"Sam's obsessed with it. If anyone's watched it a billion times, it's her," she said. She sat down beside her on the couch, still wearing her swimsuit.

"Have not," Sam defended.

"Have too," Karissa argued. She looked at Danny, smiling. He was really handsome and not to mention muscle. Umm….. But she had to find more about him. It was her job as a gossiper.

"So what's your story?" she asked him.

"Kari, that's none of our business," Sam argued again.

"Well, if you're going to share a room with him, you might as well make sure he isn't some serial killer, Sammie," she said.

Danny laughed, and shrugged. "I'm having family problems."

"Danny, you don't need to go on, it's alright," Sam suggested, shoving Karissa playfully.

"Have any siblings?" Karissa asked anyway.

"Yeah, an older sister, Jazmine," he replied, trying not to get too far into memories.

"You live by yourself?" she asked. Sam tried to protest, but she was determined.

"No," he replied.

"You live with Jazmine?" she asked.

"And my dad."

"And mom?"

"My mom is dead," he replied sadly.

"Oh. --"

"Karissa, that's enough. Let's just watch the movie and leave him alone," Sam said.

"Actually, I'd better get home." She stood up and stuck a finger in his direction. "She'd better be in one piece the next time I see her, got it?" she asked.

He nodded, laughing shortly, and Karissa hugged Sam, then walked out of the room.

Sam sighed again. "I'm sorry. She's always like that."

"It's alright," he said.

"I'm sorry about bringing all of that up. Are you alright?" she asked gently. His mood seemed different. She felt it was all her fault. Maybe inviting Karissa over had been a bad idea. But she didn't know she was going to pry.

He shrugged, not replying, and they watched the movie in silence.

Great, Sam thought. Now I've upset him. But as he watched the movie, he grinned seriously, as if thinking about something. She wondered what he was thinking about.

Before she knew it, her thoughts had turned into dreams, as exhaustion became clear and she fell asleep, laid out across the bed.

Danny found himself trying to keep his own eyes open. He'd had a long night. He looked over at Sam, who was sleeping peacefully on the bed, her eyes closed, smiling dreamily.

He turned off the tv, the movie only half over, and pulled off the covers. Swallowing nervously, he stood up and walked over to the other bed.

Sam's body was twisted in a position that couldn't have been comfortable. He took her arms gently, trying not to wake her, and straightened her out, lying her head on the pillow. He pulled the covers over her, and she turned to lay on her side, still sleeping.

Bending down to her level, he kissed her on the cheek and she smiled as if she had felt it, but still remained asleep. Smiling himself, he sat down on his bed and turned off the light.

"Goodnight, Sam."

------------------------------------------------

"Morning Danny," Sam greeted as she brushed her wet hair, staring into the mirror again. She'd taken an early morning shower, and had tried hard not to wake him up.

He sat up, rubbing one eye with his hand, yawning. "Morning."

"I see you're not a serial killer," she joked.

He laughed. "No, that I'm not."

"I didn't wake you up, did I?" she asked, turning around to look at him directly, her amethyst eyes rather almost apologetic.

"No, I'm used to Jazz waking me up anyway," he said.

"Jazz?" she asked.

"My sister. It's short for Jazmine," he explained.

"So, don't you have school?" she asked.

"No, Christmas break," he said. "I've got about two weeks left."

"Oh, me too," she said. "My mom unfortunately made me go to a Catholic school." She made a face and turned back to the mirror.

"I'm guessing you're not very religious," he joked.

She laughed manically. "No."

"I'm sorry I cut out on the movie last night. I must have been tired. Usually I make it through movies I like," she said.

"It's alright," he said. He pulled his bag from the ground up onto the bed.

"I don't even remember climbing back under my blankets, I was so tired," she said.

He looked away, averting her eyes. "Do you mind if I use the bathroom? I'm going to take a shower."

"It's fine. I'm done in there anyway," she said.

"Okay," he said. He pulled new clothes out from his bag and smiled before walking into the bathroom.

Sam continued to brush her hair, thoughtfully staring at herself in the mirror. Black shirt with a large purple oval in the center. A black and green striped skirt. Purple panty hose, underneath two ankle height black boots. She was Goth all right. She adjusted her choker with her free hand and then looked at the time.

It was three minutes after ten. They had until eleven to check out. She couldn't do it. How could she leave him now? Hadn't their kiss meant something? Surely he felt the same way?

There was a knock on the door and she set down her brush and stared at it curiously. Maybe it was Karissa, back, and ready to explain and apologize for her behavior.

She walked over and opened the door, but it wasn't Karissa she saw standing in the doorway.

He was black and had green eyes, his black hair topped off with a reddish beret. He grimaced when he saw her.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, I must have the wrong room," he said, staring at the number plate. She was being friendly, but he doubted she could help him. It wasn't like his best friend knew many girls.

"Oh, that's okay." She watched him curiously. "Maybe I can help. Who are you looking for?"

"Darn it, Danny. Never mind. I'm sorry I bugged you--"

"Wait, are you looking for Danny? As in, Danny Fenton?" she asked, as he started to walk off.

"Yeah, do you know him?"

"Uh-huh. He's in here. Well, he's in the shower," she said, smiling.

Tucker blinked several times. "What did you just say?"

"He's in the shower. You can wait in here for him if you want," she offered. "Are you one of his friends?"

"Yeah……who are you?" he asked, staring at her in disbelief.

"Oh, sorry, I'm so rude sometimes." She held out a hand, smiling cheerfully. "I'm Sam, Sam Manson."

He took it awkwardly. "Tucker Foley." This was bizarre…..

"You want to come in and wait for him?" she asked.

"Sure…."

She opened the door and let him follow her into the room, where she walked over to the desk and started to brush her hair again, trying to make it straight.

"So are you friends with Danny?" she asked, making friendly conversation between the odd silence in which the young boy stood weirdly on the far wall near the tv, keeping a safe distance from her.

"Yeah," he replied shortly.

Luckily, at that moment, the door to the bathroom swung open and Danny stepped out, wearing a white and red tee shirt, and blue jeans, and was rubbing his hair with the towel, trying to dry it.

He stopped when he saw him.

"Tuck, what are you doing here?"

"You told me to come over here," Tucker pointed out. "Around ten you said."

"Is it that late already?" he asked.

Sam nodded and set down her brush again and bounced on Danny's bed. "He showed up about five minutes ago. Said he was looking for you."

"What in the hell is going on?" Tucker exclaimed.

Danny gave him a dirty look and set down the towel. "Sam, this is Tucker Foley. Tucker, this is Sam Manson."

"We've met," he said. "What I want to know is, why you two are together here."

"They didn't have any extra single rooms, so we decided to share," Sam said.

Danny nodded in agreement.

"So, you two spent the night together?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Okay……."

"It's fine Tucker. Sam's nice," Danny said.

"Nice in the fact that I nearly got us kicked out of here," she said.

"Hey, I agreed to come along," he said.

"Yeah, but Karissa didn't have to come over," she said.

"She was fine. You wanted a friend's company."

"Are you two like an item now?" Tucker interrupted. They were bickering like an old married couple. He had to admit; Danny seemed to like this girl.

They both didn't reply, looking in other directions sadly.

Tucker sighed. Wrong thing to say at the wrong moment clearly. Was it possible Danny actually was crushed on this girl? Maybe they weren't telling him everything……

"I'm starving."

"Let's go get some breakfast. I think the Green House is still open," Sam suggested.

"The Green House? Isn't that like a vegetarian place?" Tucker asked, remembering a time when his family had spent a night here for a vacation.

She nodded, smiling proudly, and raised an eyebrow. He got it.

"You're a vegetarian….."

"Yep."

"The Green House sounds good," Danny said.

"Since when are you a vegetarian person?" Tucker asked. Had he been whipped much by this stranger?

"I'm not a vegetarian, but that doesn't mean I don't like veggies," he said.

"In or out Tucker?" Sam asked.

He couldn't believe it. She was already acting like he'd been friends with her for a while, and she'd known him less than ten minutes.

"In, I guess," he said.

"Great. Let's go," she said eagerly. The two boys followed her out of the door, and Sam skipped ahead.

"So what's all of this about?" Tucker whispered to Danny.

He shrugged. "I already told you."

"You're just going to trust a complete stranger?" he asked.

"What could she possibly do? We were both looking for a place to stay, and we decided to stay together. We trust each other. End of story. One night," he said.

"You like her don't you?"

Danny didn't reply, but continued to walk.

"What happened last night?" Tucker said. Even though he was still trying to argue, he figured it best to change the subject and then try again later.

"Jazz and I got into a fight. I told her about my ghost powers," he whispered, barely audible.

"What?"

But he couldn't explain any further because they reached the elevator leading down to the first floor.

"Going down?" Sam teased, pressing the button.

Tucker turned towards her. "Are you one of those tree hugger vegetarian people?" he asked hopefully.

"I'm an Ultro Reclyco Vegetarian, if that's what you mean," she replied.

"Which means what exactly?"

"She doesn't eat anything with a face on it," Danny explained. For some strange reason, he felt a sudden chill of déjà vu, like he'd said it before. He shook it off, watching the floor number come up.

"Yeah, that's it," Sam said. She suddenly felt a familiarity. Hadn't they had this conversation before? But it was impossible, she'd just met Danny yesterday, Tucker all of fifteen minutes. She ignored it, and thought about something else.

"I'm a meat person myself," Tucker argued. Danny elbowed him to make him shut up and Tucker's green eyes glared back.

The elevator doors opened and Sam, making sure no one was coming out, stepped inside the vacant space, Tucker and Danny following her.

He looked around, and his eye caught something on the bulletin board that was on the right wall. He read it silently.

"Local bands needed for Wake the Dead, a Gothic café, located in the center downtown of Amity Park. Guitar players, vocalists, keyboarders….."

He could play guitar. If he got a job there, he could earn some money to repay Tucker, and maybe live out on his own for a while until things calmed down at home. But he wasn't sure about the whole band part. He didn't sing, and a simple guitar song wasn't going to do the trick.

"Hey, check this out," Sam said, looking over in the same direction.

"What?"

"This ad," she said, pointing to the board. She read hurriedly aloud. "Local bands needed for Wake the Dead, a Gothic café, located in the center of downtown of Amity Park. Guitar players, vocalists--"

She cut off. Hadn't both Karissa always told her that she sounded like the lead singer of Evanescence? If she could find a guitar player, she could sign up for the job, and then maybe get some money to get her own apartment. She certainly didn't want to go home just yet. But where in the world was she going to find a guitar--

Then she remembered something about last night.

"I like to play guitar. 3 Doors Down and Evanescence and there's other groups I play, but those are the ones I like best…"

She looked over at Danny. If she asked, would he go for it.

However, she didn't have time, because they reached the first floor and she took the lead again, stepping out into the main lobby. She gasped as a familiar face started to walk towards her.

She turned around and faced them. She pulled off a black gel bracelet from her wrist and started messing with her hair, pulling it back into a ponytail.

The two boys stared at her, in confusion and trying to be discrete, she nodded her head towards the man.

Danny's blue eyes went wide as he saw him. "Come on," he whispered. He hoped he wouldn't recognize them. He'd be screwed if he did.

He took the lead this time, and walked them into the main lobby.

"What is going on?" Tucker asked, confused.

"Shh!" Both of them whispered at the same time.

"I'll get you a pair of sunglasses or something," Sam said to Danny, as she looked at the same clerk at the counter. "They always have extra things like that."

As she walked away, Tucker turned, his eyes narrowed to his best friend. "Are you going to explain what the heck is going on now?" he asked. His lowered his voice. "Is there some kind of ghost thing?"

He shook his head. "We snuck into the pool last night and then when we came out, we almost got caught."

"You're here one night and already you're a criminal?" he teased.

"Man, shut up," he said.

Tucker laughed. Danny watched in relief as the security guard walked right past them, going in the other direction.

At the counter, Sam spoke to the blonde haired clerk again.

"Do you have a pair of sunglasses? I left mine at home," she asked.

"Sure do." He reached down underneath the counter. "You're the two plus one who snuck into the pool last night, weren't you?"

She gasped. "No-- we weren't," she stammered.

"It's alright. I won't tell anyone. I've been waiting for someone to do that for a long time. I find it quite hilarious," he said.

"So everyone heard about that huh?" she asked as he handed her the glasses.

"Everyone heard about it. Everyone who works in the hotel that is. Better keep a low profile for a while," he suggested.

"Already working on it," she said.

"Good luck. I'll keep your secrets," he said, adding a little smile.

She smiled back and grasped the sunglasses, and started walking back towards the boys, who looked relieved.

"Is he gone?" she asked.

"Yeah," Danny said.

"Here, take these. Gotta keep a low profile for a while," she said, handing him the sunglasses.

"Why? You guys are only here for like a couple more hours," Tucker pointed out. The two didn't say a thing again.

Sam bit her lip. "Danny, can I talk to you a minute?" she asked.

Danny nodded and turned to his confused bud. "Do you mind getting a table Tuck?"

"Sure…." he said, sarcastically. He walked off, shaking his head in disgust. Danny sighed; he was probably being unfair to him. He'd have to do a lot of apologizing.

"I've been thinking," Sam began, butterflies in her stomach. Danny turned his gaze back to her. She swallowed and stuttered nervously. "Look, I really don't want to go home just yet."

"Yeah, neither do I," he agreed.

"So, why don't we stay here together for a couple more nights? We'll split the expense between us still. And, stay away from midnight hot tubbing," she added.

"It sounds great. But I don't want you to think I'm really some sort of criminal or anything," he said.

"I don't, trust me," she said. Before she knew what she was doing, she had placed her hands around his neck and was kissing him.

Danny, surprised at first, closed his eyes, and returned the kiss. They pulled away after a couple of seconds.

She stared up into his eyes, breathless. "Look, I never thought you were anything more than someone I love more than anything else. I loved you since we met. And I'm not afraid to show you. You haven't shown me any signs that you're someone who's conceited, and dishonest, and arrogant."

A small wave of guilt crossed over Danny. She wanted him to be honest; he was more willing except for his darkest secret. If she were to find out, how would she react?

Sam dipped her head, a pink rising to her cheeks. "You don't feel the same way, do you?"

He laughed and pulled her hand up, and kissed it. "I've never loved anyone quite like you. I have to say I'm in love as well," he admitted.

She smiled, then gasped. "Oh, my gosh Tucker. He's probably waiting for us," she said.

"Oh, he'll be fine," he said.

"I don't think I'm making a good first impression," she admitted, taking his hand in hers as she walked down the hall to the restaurant.

"Don't worry about it," he said, blowing it off.

"Danny, I was wondering something else," she said, almost reluctantly as if she were embarrassed to ask.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"You said you played guitar. Do you think you could play for me? I would sing, but only if you play. We could get that job at Wake the Dead," she said.

His eyes widened in surprise at her question. Hadn't it been what he'd been thinking about?

"Depends on what you sing," he said. He mentally slapped himself. That was rude to say.

"Evanescence, Aimee Allen, Avril Lavigne, Michelle Branch, The Donnas, mostly girl lead songs. I can also sing 3 Doors Down and Switchfoot at a higher, soprano tone," she said. Was he testing her or something.

"You'll be perfect," he said. He turned to her and leaned down to kiss her. She kissed him back, smiling, her hand touching her lips. "Of course, you are perfect. Let's go there later today."

She couldn't do anything but smile, blushing at his comments. So this was what it was like to have a boyfriend She could finally live the life Karissa led, except she would remain forever with him and him only.

Danny took her hand again as they walked closer to the Green House. He couldn't remember ever being so happy before. He'd never had a girlfriend before. And he had to admit, he was loving the feeling.

"Hey, Tucker," he said, upon arriving near the table. Tucker looked up, slightly annoyed and watched the two sit down opposite him, next to each other.

"Sorry it took so long," she said. She picked up a menu and bit her lip, her eyes following the veggie choices.

"What were you doing?" he asked.

"We've decided to stay here a little longer," Sam blurted. She cringed, hoping Danny wouldn't mind her outburst.

"One more week couldn't hurt," Danny said, playing with his watch.

"Whoa, whoa. I'm not lending…that much," Tucker added with emphasis.

Danny groaned. He'd totally forgotten he'd asked him to aid him in paying for the room. Then he remembered.

"That's okay. I'm getting a job anyway," he announced.

"Really?"

"We're getting a job," he corrected, pointing to Sam, who didn't tear her eyes away from her menu, a flush beginning in her cheeks.

"Where?"

"Wake the Dead. In the elevator, there was that post up about them needing bands. I sing and Danny plays guitar," she said, leaning into him. He put his chin on hers, his fingers twirling her hair.

Tucker stared, half confused, half weirded out. "Are you two like lovebirds or something?"

Danny laughed and tossed his rolled up napkin at him. He'd never been called lovebird for. It was a brand new feeling. One he liked.

"You could say that," Sam said.

Tucker about said something when suddenly he jumped and dug around in his pockets, and then they heard a ring tone. Sure enough, he brought out his expensive, chrome cell phone.

"Stupid text messages. I thought I turned off the vibrate--" he stopped, staring at the screen. His eyes widened as he read the message.

"Is your mom wondering where you are?" Danny asked.

"Ummm…..no, I think you should read this, dude," he said, handing over the phone. Danny took it curiously, and read the screen.

"Tucker, if Danny is there, please send him home. I need to talk to him. Please."

"Jazz," he whispered.

"Is something wrong?" Sam asked, looking up at him.

"No," he said, taking a deep breath. "Just personal stuff. Here." He gave Tucker his phone back.

Sam sensed a sudden mood change again, like earlier that morning when Karissa had tried to dig into his problems. She decided not to ask.

"So what do you boys feel like ordering? The Garden Great sounds great," she said. "Green peppers, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, mushrooms-"

"That's just wrong," Tucker interrupted. Even Danny had to admit it didn't sound too appetizing.

"Can I take your order?" a waitress asked, stepping up to them.

They ordered drinks, and then entrees. She took their menus back and then walked took it to the chef.

"So, you guys are forming a band, huh?" Tucker asked, his eyes on his PDA. (Danny couldn't believe he'd brought it with him. Take that back, he could.)
"Yes, Karissa says I've got a talent," Sam said, wondering if she was sounding conceited.

"Who's Karissa?" he asked.

"She's my best friend. We've been buds for a long time."

"What school do you go to?"

"Amity Park's Catholic Have," she mumbled irritably.

"You're Catholic?" he asked incredulously, in disbelief.

"Unfortunately. I'd prefer not to be," she said.

"Danny and I have been friends since kindergarten at Casper High," he said.

"So I've heard," Sam said, watching as the waitress neared with their drinks. She brought them over and set them down and she smiled at her and took a long sip of Dr Pepper with her straw.

"What has Danny told you exactly?" Tucker asked.

Danny narrowed his eyes, hoping he wouldn't go any further. He still hadn't figured out how he was going to tell Sam about his ghost powers.

"Not much, but I hope that will change." She didn't mean it to be nosy and Danny knew it. She was staring deep into his eyes, a hopeful pull inside their amethyst color.

"Interesting. So what songs are you going to sing?" he asked, taking a drink from his Mountain Dew.

"You bounce from subject to subject don't you?" she asked.

"Seems to," Danny agreed, ducking as Tucker threw a piece of ice at him from his drink.

"Evanescence, 3 Doors Down--" She felt around the seat, and latched onto Danny's hand.

Danny, who had been taking a drink, felt a shiver of excitement at her touch, felt his arm tingle suddenly and it go intangible. Without the support, his glass of 7up fell onto the seat. Sam shrieked as the liquid rained down on top of her.

"Grace," Tucker commented, trying to sound normal, but he noticed that Danny's arm had suddenly gone invisible mode. This girl really was getting to him. Accidents like that didn't usually happen to him unless he got nervous or angry or something.

"I'm so sorry," Danny apologized, ignoring his sarcastic friend. He picked up the fallen glass and swiped the ice inside it.

Sam shook her arm, rubbing a napkin across it. "It's okay. I'm sorry if I made you do that," she said. She wasn't about to admit she was soaked. But that didn't mean her clothes didn't show it.

Danny was now busily wiping up the seat. "Not it wasn't you. I seem to be a walking klutz," he admitted, blushing madly.

When the seat appeared dry, Sam smiled awkwardly and sat back down next to him.

"I'm sorry," he said again. He looked down. His arm was back. Now.

"Don't worry about it. No harm done," she said.

"Danny's always been so graceful," Tucker declared.

He glared at him. "Thanks Tuck."

"No problem," he said.

"Here you are," the waitress announced, carrying over a tray. She set down their plates in front of them and took Danny's glass, then came back within three seconds to give him a new one, which he made sure didn't have any accidents.

"This is great," Sam said, taking another bite.

"Yeah, if you're a vegetarian," Tucker said, staring at his fork, which appeared to have something that looked like a mushroom attached to its spikes.

Sam laughed. "At least it didn't used to have a heart."

"But it used to live," Tucker pointed out.

"Let's not start a revolution here," Danny said before Sam could reply.

"Have you seen Danny's instrument yet?" Tucker asked, changing the subject back again.

Both Sam and Danny snorted as they ate. Tucker caught on to what they were choking about.

"That's just wrong. That's not what I meant. I meant have you checked out his guitar yet?" he asked, annoyed.

"God…..that was great," Sam said, still laughing. She'd remember that one for a while. "No, not yet."

Something sparked in Danny's memory. His guitar; his black and silver electric/acoustic guitar that had painted on its frame all around it, silver flames, which Tucker had again nicknamed "Ghost Flames." The very same guitar he'd left…..by his windowsill at home…..

"Oh, no," he muttered aloud.

"What?" Sam asked.

"My guitar's at home," he said.

"Can't you just fly over and get it?" Tucker asked.

Danny's eyes widened again.

"Why do you mean fly?" Sam asked.

Tucker coughed before answering, going rather red himself. "He's got a motorcycle. Paulina…."

"Paulina?"

"That's Tucker's second nickname for it," he said, glaring at him.

"Paulina was Danny's first crush," Tucker said.

"Oh," Sam said, looking down uncomfortably.

For once the naïve boy noticed. "Sorry," he said sincerely.

"Everybody has their first loves right?" she asked. But I've never loved anyone like you before, she thought, staring at him. She leaned into him again, and sat down her fork, satisfied.

He smiled. He couldn't believe this was happening. He couldn't believe how truly lucky he was. The innocent little crush he'd had on Paulina could never match up to this.

"How does dessert sound?" Tucker asked, putting down his own fork.

"Sounds great. Brownie sundae," Sam said, licking her lips.

The waitress came back over and took their order and then five minutes later brought it back.

"Go for it," Tucker said, as Sam picked up her fork first. She laughed. Maybe they could be friends.

Inside a large plate was a soft, chewy brownie with vanilla ice cream on top of it, streaked with chocolate syrup. Sam dug her fork in and took a bite.

"Ummm….." she said, feeling like she was in heaven. Her mother never allowed chocolate. Too religious. "Try this." She forked out another bite and handed it to Danny, who smiled and took the bite.

"Wow, you two could get married," Tucker declared, watching them.

Danny coughed, pressing a hand to his chest. Sam rubbed his back, chuckling. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied. He finished swallowing. "It's really cold ice cream." Of course he knew she wouldn't fall for it; she was too smart to fall for a lame excuse like that.

"It's ice cream, it's supposed to be cold," she smarted off, taking another bite. She didn't say that she knew what he was flustered about. She had to admit, her own heart had fluttered when he'd said it too.

They finished the brownie between the three of them, and then split the bill between them; luckily both Danny and Sam had extra cash they had brought with them.

"Hey, sorry Danny, but you were right earlier, my parents are probably looking for me," Tucker announced, staring at his PDA again.

"Yeah, thanks for coming over," Danny said sincerely.

"It was nice meeting you," Sam said politely.

"Yeah, you too," Tucker said. "Call me if you need me again. Maybe we can all go out. Watch you guys perform."

"I'll bring Karissa, and we can make it a double date," Sam suggested excitedly.

Danny couldn't help but smile cause of the look on his best friend's face. But Tucker nodded, scratching his head.

"You do that," he said. "See ya."

He walked out into the lobby and out of the sliding glass doors. Danny turned to Sam, who had a hand pressed over her mouth as she was yawning.

"I think I'm going to take a quick nap," she said. "Coming?" She tickled his hand with her fingers.

"Tempting, but I have errands to run," he said reluctantly. "I have to fix up my bike and go pick up my guitar."

"Okay. When do you want to sign up for the job?" she asked.

"Tomorrow would probably work. See you later?" he asked.

"I'll be waiting," she said. She laughed and walked backwards the other direction and to the elevator.

And Danny sighed. Was it possible for someone to love this much?
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Phasing through the second floor of his house, he appeared inside his room, turning back into his human form upon landing on the floor.

Looking around, he spotted his heavy guitar right where he'd left it. He went over to pick it up when he tripped over something. His room's trash can. The can didn't make a sound when it tipped over, however, the noise Danny made when he crashed onto the floor was deafening.

He muttered a few choice words and pulled himself up. That's when he heard it. Movement from downstairs. Footsteps rushing up the stairs.

He automatically knew it was Jazz, but didn't want to stay to chat. Even though he missed her, her words had hurt and he knew it would take a while for it to go away.

That's what he risked, being a ghost. He now knew he couldn't tell Sam. She would react the same way Jazz had, except different.

He rushed over and pulled his guitar from its wrack and threw the strap over his shoulders. He found the case and picked it up as well. He went ghost again and turned intangible, flying through the ceiling.

Just as the door opened to his room.

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"Boo!" Sam shouted as he walked through the door. He'd spent a lot of time trying to search for one of his keys, which had gone missing already. Probably down in the pool. So he'd had to use his spare.

"Hey, I thought you were sleeping," he said, his mood lifting instantly the moment he saw her.

"I did. You were gone for almost two hours. How'd it go?" she asked, bouncing on her bed. Obviously she had gotten some sleep. That or extra caffeine.

"I snuck in the house and she didn't see me," he said, half truthful.

"Oh, cool. So what's your guitar look like?" she asked.

He pulled the case, which he had secured the heavy instrument inside, and set it on top of his bed. Opening the latches, he pulled the lid off and she gasped.

"Oh my god, that's awesome," she said, staring at it.

He leaned back on the bed, watching her as she examined the neck and boards, and then the beautifully painted body.

He hadn't gotten much luck from the auto body shop however. They said it'd be at least three hundred dollars to pay for the damage. While it wasn't much compared to what it could have been, he still didn't have that much money. He'd have to get this job or he was screwed and he'd have to give it away or sell it.

She finished idling the guitar and leaned down next to him, her head level with his shoulder.

"What do you say, you and I take a break and go out to the movies? I really want to see Elektra," she suggested.

He nodded, thinking. "A movie sounds great."

She tilted her head and brought his hand up above them, tracing her fingers along it again.

"Or we could stay here for a while," she said.

"Or we could do both," he said, kissing the top of her head.

"But movie first," she teased, pulling his pillow from the top of the headboard and smacking him with it.

He feigned injury and moaned in pain.

"Oh, you big baby, come on," she said.

"Big baby huh?" he said. He pulled her back down and hit her back with the pillow and she shrieked in mock horror, laughing.

Danny picked up his pop can from earlier and took a swig. "Whoever gets to the movie first has the honors of buying." He crawled off the side of the bed and started walking towards the door.

She leapt on top of him and he barely managed to stay on his feet. "I don't think so."

He pulled her up so she was sitting piggy back style on him. "Oh, you think so?" He started walking with her still on top of him to the door and pulled it open.

A figure stood in the doorway and stared back at them, suddenly confused and intrigued at the same time. Danny froze.

It was Jazz.

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That was rather long, sorry. What a cliffe there! Ah, romance. Please R&R!

Lateraina Wolf