Empty Threats

"So, she's here right now?" Sam referred to Alesha as the trio walked to lunch. Danny nodded with a smile.

"Yeah," he grinned. "She's going to join us for lunch."

Tucker looked up from his PDA. "Do ghosts eat?"he asked. Danny shrugged. Sam didn't look to happy. She probably hadn't gotten over Alesha's involvement in his running away. Danny did wish she didn't hold grudges for so long.

"Where is she now?" The Goth asked, her mouth thin and tight.That half-ghostshrugged.

"I didn't have to suppress my ghost sense about half way through last period, so I think she left then. Frankly, I can see why she ditched it. I mean, could that class be any more boring?" Tucker laughed at his remark.

"It's great to have you back buddy."

xoxoxox

"Jack," Maddie stood up from stooping and looking in the cupboards, "where are my goggles?"

"What honey?" Jack asked distractedly from under one of the many inventions they had scattered around the basement.

Maddie looked over at him, "I can't start on this without my goggles. I set them right here, did you move them?"

"No, honey," he replied. "It was probably a ghost!" Maddie sighed and rubbed her temple.

"Jack, I can't find them anywhere. What would a ghost want with them?"

"Good point. Sorry," he said, without so much as coming out to look at her. She sighed again, not really knowing why she suddenly felt so depressed.

"Why does he treat you like that?" the imagined whisper sent shivers down her spine.

"Jack, honey," she walked up to him. "Why don't we take a break from ghosts tonight." She put her arm on the machine and leaned down.

"DON'T PUT YOUR HAND THERE!" the large man yelled. Maddie jumped back, surprised. "I would have to redo four hours of work if you broke that." He rolled out on the board he had been laying on.

Maddie looked at him for a few seconds before looking away. "I'm sorry," she said. "Jack, what's gotten into you?"

"What?" he asked.

"Ever since Danny's been back, you've been jumpy and distracted. What's wrong?" He sighed.

"I don't know," he replied. "And I don't want to talk about it." Maddie felt her hopes sink. Why did this mean so much for her?

"I'm going out for a little while, okay?" She said, a little more coldly than she wanted to. He didn't seem to notice, so she walked out the door.

"Why do you put up with it?" the voiceless whisper ran through her mind.

"Shut up," she told it. "I don't care who you are, my husband loves me." A cruel laugh met her remark.

xoxoxox

"Hey you guys," Alesha walked up, her grey skirt swishing with movement, causing several guys to turn and stare in her direction. Tucker and Danny weren't exceptions, and Sam could only roll her eyes. Alesha either didn't see the look, or she ignored it and sat down gracefully. She looked like any normal human, seeing as any glow she gave off was negated by the harsh, bright lights of the cafeteria. "Could your classes be any more boring?" Danny and Tucker burst into laughter, and even Sam had to hide a snicker. "What's so funny?" the ghost asked.

Tucker stopped laughing for a moment and explained, "Danny was just commenting on that earlier". Alesha's face broke into a smile and she sat back.

"Maybe I'll just worry about patrolling during your school hours," she commented.

"So, Alesha," Tucker leaned forward, "do you eat anything?" he whispered. She laughed at his comment.

"Of course I do! I don't necessarily have to to continue existing, but if I want to keep my strength up, I have to eat something sometime." Tucker reply was interrupted by a very familiar voice coming up behind them.

"So." Danny's smile immediately disappeared as he recognized the voice and turned to see Dash Baxter cracking his knuckles. "What's a babe like you doing with these losers?" The curiosity that had graced the ghost's face before quickly turned to a bored, unimpressed look.

"Avoiding even bigger losers like you," she said dryly. Dash's smile also disappeared quickly.

"What did you say?" he asked quietly. Alesha waved her hand non-chalantly.

"You heard me," she covered heryawn with carless gesture. "Now could you please leave?" She glanced up at him through her dark shades, "if you hadn't noticed, everyone was happier before you came over. Even you."

"Why you little," he went to step forward. "Look," he stuck a finger at her, she only raised an eyebrow. "I was always taught not to hit a girl, but that doesn't mean I can't get at you in some other way. This isn't over."

She shook her head, "On the contrary,there is nothing you can do to me that hasn't already been done." Danny winced visibly at her words, as guilt washed over him. She was right. She'd been through torture, blackmail, losing her family, and even Death. Dash's threat really held no credibility. "So, you can try all you like, but," she lowered her glasses, causing her bright green, glowing eyes to come into contact with his, "I promise you, you will not succeed." Dash gasped and backed away.

"Freak!" he yelped and ran back to his table, tail set firmly between his legs. Alesha turned back to Danny and the others. Sam looked as if her admiration had risen several notches, and Tucker looked head over heals in love, but Danny's face looked like it had been carved from stone.

"You okay, Danny?" she asked. Danny shrugged.

"Yeah," he replied and continued to eat his lunch.

Dr. Dragon: Trust me, things can get worse...much much worse. Never say that things can't get worse...b.ecause it's never true.

BluishBlack Dolphin (BBD): Well, when you post your own story, go ahead and read mine then. We can exchange critiques and comments. :D

Squeakie: So that's where you got your name. Cute. :D Yeah, it is kind of funny if you ask me (about Jazz) which is why I wrote it. :D I'm glad you like it. :Hug: Thanx.

Calistar Heir: Thanx for reading. I appreciate it. :hug:And thanx for the review.

LaBOBruen: Now that is a mean threat. Goose. Fine...come after me with chainsaws, just don't be surprised when you can't catch me. ;) I'm not sayng anything because either I can't explain it without giving away something, or you're dangerously close. Can't remember which one it was now...:Oo:

Celestial: Yippee? Honey, you're starting to scare me. This is like a series of unfortunate events (although I've never read the series). It's turning out to be very depressing, and you're happy about it? sigh Well, I"m glad you like it in any case. Thanks for the review. :hug: Good luck in your classes and the PSS's and all...whatever those are.

Dark NInja:Sorry about that. I'll see what I can do.