WoM- Whoo, the response to this story is phenomenal! It's awesome to have hard work appreciated. As promised, here's the update, right on scheduled! I had to keep retyping part because my computer is older then me, and really, really hates me. 'mutters about evil computers.' Ah, well. Enjoy!

"I have not yet begun to fight!"

-John Paul Jones

Scene 3

Danny was coming to realize exactly how much he hated surprises.

It wasn't enough to come home and stumble upon his parents in the living room speaking to not only the director of the documentary (A pudgy man who kept eyeing Danny thoughtfully.) but his archenemy as well, who'd apparently taken up residence there for the remainder of the film.

As if that wasn't enough, he when upstairs to find he couldn't get into his own bedroom since someone had apparently turned the Anti-ghost shields for the second floor back on. Some higher being must have decided a long time ago that Danny couldn't be electrocuted enough in his lifetime.

And, to wrap it all up, A frustrated Danny had stormed down to the lab for some privacy to find his sister and some pretty-boy TV star flirting. That Derris Brown guy was all over Jazz, not improving Danny's already darkened mood.

Which was exactly why the overwhelmed Halfa had locked himself in the Ops Center, where he now sat banging his head against the wall. And he STILL hadn't figured out what Mandy's 'I won't tell' thing was about.

After all, there was no way she could know he was Danny Phantom after just one meeting with both Dannys, both less then ten minutes long. His own parents couldn't tell, and they'd spent much longer around both his identities! It was impossible that she knew!

…Wasn't it?

He desperately wanted to fly around and vent some steam, but that was impossible with cameras all over Amity. In all honesty, Danny couldn't remember a single time he'd felt more helpless and wronged.

…Well, being forced to Tucker's singing did come close, but still fell a little short.

"Danny, sweetie!" Maddie called upstairs. "Time for dinner!" Danny flinched and slowly got up, dreading going downstairs to the dinnertime tension he knew was coming…

"I'm telling you, there's no trace of the kid!" Jack said loudly to Vlad and Director Michael Lamburg, "No one has any idea where that Phantom goes during the day!"

"Indeed…" Vlad said, amusement coloring his voice. Danny noticed this and gripped his fork tighter, suppressing a growl. He didn't even notice when the utensil snapped easily in his hand. Jazz did, though, and kicked him under the table to get his attention.

"Well, if we can get a bit of his DNA, a hair or something, that should make him easier to track, shouldn't it?" Michael pressed.

"Of course," Maddie said, "If we had his DNA, we could tell you even more then where he is. The problem is getting it. He's very elusive, and is only ever seen when there's another ghost around."

"You mentioned before that ghost are possessive and obsessive about certain things?" Michael said.

"Yes, their Trigger," Maddie nodded, "The thing that keeps them from crossing over to the next realm of existence."

"Do you know what Phantom's Trigger is?" Michael asked.

"No clue, actually," Maddie said, "Most of the time it's easy to find out just by studying the ghost's powers, and the source of their energies, but Phantom is different from every ghost we've ever fought."

"Maybe that means he isn't evil?" Jazz said hopefully.

"Don't be silly, dear," Maddie said absently, "Most ghost are created by post-human consciousness combined with negative emotions such as fear, anger, hatred and things like that."

"True," Vlad agreed, "And then there are those that simply refuse to allow the lives they lived in the Mortal Realm to go unfulfilled. Longing for something they missed out on while they were alive."

"What if Phantom's one of those?" Derris asked. "Those one's don't sound evil…"

"But they tend to be most obsessive." Maddie sighed, "Most obvious in their Trigger. Such as the ghost you saw attack Danny today, Technus or whatever he called himself." Vlad's eyebrow twitched in irritation at the mention of the ghost, and Danny had a feeling the two had met. "His power clearly comes from technology, and his Trigger is his desire to control the world."

"Yes," Michael agreed, turning his attention to the 14 year old in question. "Excellent shot, by the way. You've been trained for ghost hunting?"

"Of course!" Jack answered for Danny, "Jazzypants, too. Both our kids know how to work every stable weapon we make! We Fentons stick together!" Both Fenton siblings blushed and Jazz when as far as to sink into her seat and out of sight.

"Though naturally we don't allow Danny to use the Fenton GAV," Maddie said absently as she loaded more salad on her plate. "He's too young to drive. Still he knows how to work the weapons in it, and both of our children have been trained in gun safety among other things. We try to keep our experimental projects away from our children, though sometimes their curiosity gets the better of them." A note of motherly disapproval snuck into Maddie's voice here.

"Like the Fenton Portal," Jack piped up, "That turned out for the best in the end, though. Danny got it working, and managed to keep himself from sprouting a third arm!" Danny felt his ears burn at his father's bellowing laugher, not meeting anyone's eyes.

'I'm dead.' He thought miserably, 'There's no way someone won't figure everything out before this is over…'

"Yes, but he still got a nasty shock." Maddie reminded her husband, "And he set off all the ghost detection devices for a week afterwards, to say nothing about how jumpy he was…"

'Jeeze, just stick an sign on my head, why don't you?' Danny was very tempted to yell. Luckily, a cover came for him from a surprising source.

"Just a bit of ecto-energies in the shock, most likely," Vlad said smoothly. "The residue tends to cling for a while before it fades. Nothing for concern, though." Maddie nodded at that.

"That's what I figured." She agreed. Danny couldn't help but notice (with some pleasure,) that although Maddie had said everything was forgiven, she was still very tense around the billionaire.

"So, Danny," Michael said in a friendly tone, "I bet things get pretty interesting around here, huh?" Danny frowned then shrugged, tempted to tell him that he had no idea how interesting things got.

"Jazz and I have learned went to duck," he said instead, "could you please pass a roll?" Looking amused, Derris did as Danny asked.

"Are you always pulling stunts like you did this afternoon?" Michael pressed on despite Danny's standoffishness.

"Nah," Danny said, "My parents are the ghost hunters, not me," 'I spend more time as the ghost they're trying to hunt.'

"What about at school?" Michael continued, "I hear there're a lot of ghosts there, ghosts that were taken care of before your parents came on the scene…." Danny laughed.

"You think I did that?" He said, shaking his head, "No way. I was running the other way, like any sane person would. Guns aren't exactly welcome at Casper, and how'd you expect me to fight something intangible hand to hand?" Jazz and even Vlad looked impressed at how smoothly Danny had lied to the director, whose face fell when Danny pointed this out.

"That was Phantom, Mr. Lamburg," Jazz piped up, "At least, he saved me from a ghost at our school. Paulina Sanchez, too. She'll tell anyone who gives her five minutes about it."

"So, Phantom shows up at your school a lot?" Michael asked, still directing the questions at Danny. Danny had to suppress a smile at that.

'Much more then he wants to, believe me…'

"Dunno…" Danny said, casually, "I don't think I remember ever seeing him there, but if Jazz did he probably was," That was honest enough. He never saw himself as Phantom, after all, except after that nasty incident with the Fenton Ghost Catcher.

"Do you think Phantom's evil?" Michael asked.

"No," Danny answered, "Not really…" Vlad cocked an eyebrow at that, obviously catching the implication where no one else did. "Look, I'm gonna head over to Sam's for a bit, okay Mom? I promised to help her with her project for Astrology, since mine is done,"

"Okay, sweetie," Maddie said, "be back before curfew."

"And call us if you run into any ghosts!" Jack added.

"Sure," Danny responded absently, leaving the dining room.

"Cute kid," He heard Michael say to his parents, "Seems pretty sharp, too. Does he have any extracurriculars?" Danny flinched and hastened his steps, wanting to get away from pretty much everyone who was still in the dining room before he had to hear any more.

"That bad, huh?" Sam said absently as she stuck the foam ball into the flattened metal clothes hanger.

"Five more minutes in there and I would've killed myself!" Danny growled as he finished painting Neptune. "Or someone else. Preferably that nosy director or Vlad. Hell, even that jerk who was all over Jazz would do…" Sam chuckled.

"You are such a Fenton, Danny…" She grinned. "Pass me Mars, please."

"That sounds like something I should take offence to." Danny said, handing her the small red-painted foam ball.

"Should, but don't," Sam interpreted.

"Let's just say I've gained a new appreciation for my family." Danny sighed. "Jazz especially is a lifesaver now. That doesn't leave this room, by the way," Sam shook her head in amusement.

"So any plans for the week after next?" Danny blinked.

"I dunno." He said, confused, "What's happening then?" One of Mars' moons fell from Sam's hands.

"You don't remember!" she yelled.

"Remember what!" Danny asked, bewildered. Sam gaped for a moment, then grinned widely.

"Oh, this is gold…" She chuckled.

"Sam, you've got that look on your face again…" Danny said cautiously, edging away from his friend slightly and preparing to go ghost and flee at the gleam in her eyes, the documentary be damned.

If there was one thing in the world that could scare him more then exposure, it was a plotting Sam…

"Never mind, Danny," Sam said, turning back to her project. "Did you find out where the cameras are?"

"Not yet," Danny sighed. "I haven't had a chance to catch Jazz alone. Besides, between Mr. Director and Plasmius, I've been kinda preoccupied."

"Not to mention saving the Nasty Burger from certain doom, I've heard," Sam smirked. Danny rolled his eyes.

"It was just Technus," He muttered. "How much lamer can you get?" Realizing what he'd just said, Danny groaned as Sam giggled.

"Three… Two… One…" they counted down together.

"BEWARE!"

Not even bothering to glance away from Sam, Danny shot out some ecto-goo at the bumbling ghost's mouth before he could go off on one of his tirades. Then Sam sucked him into the spare Fenton Thermos Danny had given her before turning back to her project.

"Box Ghost aside, Danny," Sam said, adjusting one of Jupiter's moons, "Aren't you worried a more powerful ghost is gonna come along? I mean, Plasmius isn't winning any honesty awards last I heard…. Could you gimme Saturn?"

"Well, I don't think he's lying this time," Danny said, handing her the desired foam planet, "Not when his butt's on the line, too."

"Are you willing to risk everyone's lives on that?" Sam asked him. Danny didn't respond, instead putting all his attention on Pluto. "I thought not."

"Still…" Danny sighed, "Until we can map out where I can go ghost, all we can do it cross out fingers and hope for the best."

"Well, there's that, or you can just fight off ghosts as Danny Fenton." Sam reminded him, "Help me with these moons, will you? God, why does Saturn have to have so many…?"

"Actually, I'd rather not," Danny told her as he came over to help stick the small white foam bits to Saturn, "I mean, I know it'd be a lot less suspicious and all, but Honestly, I want to stay out of the documentary all together."

"Camera-shy?" Sam smirked.

"Like you wouldn't believe," Danny grinned back. "Anyways, that way I can keep the attention off of me in case some people start making connections."

"And when people on the street ask you if you're related to Jack and Maddie Fenton…?" Sam quizzed him.

"Laugh and back away, then make a break for it first chance I get." Danny responded. "God knows that Jazz is gonna be changing her name before this is over…"

You say that like it's news," Sam laughed, "Jazz has been waiting to change names since before she knew how to spell Fenton." Danny laughed along with her at that.

"Hey, Sam? Have you ever seen this Spirits show?"

"Are you kidding me?" Sam said in disgust. "Paulina watches it!" Sam said that like it was reason enough for her to never want to hear so much as the name of the show spoken in her presence, which may have very well been the case. Then, begrudgingly, she added, "But Tuck's pretty into it. I think he said he's taped every episode."

"Good," Danny sighed in relief, "Tell him to bring them over this weekend."

"You're staying over here this weekend?" Sam asked, though not in a way that said she was upset.

"If I can survive that long with Vlad in the house…" Danny grumbled. "I want to see what the big deal is about, and hopefully learn a little more about all these people. Not to mention I'll need the break from the cameras by then. I might have to use your and Tucker's house to go ghost until everything clears up, and you guys can't come with me if I need to go on a hunt."

"No duh," Sam rolled her eyes, "Relax, Danny, We'll help you keep your cover. Now gimme Uranus." Danny's eyebrow kicked up.

"Okay, I know I should take offence for that one," He said, grinning.

"…DANNY!"

"I don't think your brother likes me very much."

Jazz couldn't help but roll her eyes at that statement, though she did manage to restrain the sigh that would usually accompany it.

"Danny isn't exactly warm and fuzzy to strangers," Jazz said carefully, "Besides, he kinda likes his privacy. As do I, which is why my parents are gonna get chewed out over the bathroom thing."

"What?" Derris asked, confused.

"The camera in the bathroom?" Jazz reminded him, "Yeah, that's not staying in there so long as I live here." Derris' confused look cleared away instantly, and he laughed lightly at that comment.

"Oh, that," He chuckled, "Sorry, I lied about that. I knew you wanted Mr. Masters out, and decided to give you a hand." Jazz looked surprised, then smiled gratefully.

"Oh, t-thanks," She said, a little flustered. "Hey, Derris, if you want, I could show you some of the cooler hang outs around Amity. You know, for the documentary." Here Jazz laughed nervously.

"Of course," Derris said, amused, "For the Documentary." Jazz smiled at him and led him out the door, ignoring her father as he showed off another one of his inventions (He refused to have any cameras actually in the Lab. Dense though he could be, Jack knew full well that other ghost hunters might steal his precious designs first chance they got, especially after the initial success of the Fenton Battle Suit.)

"DERRIS!" an angry voice bellowed, stopping both the actor in question and his red head escort as they reached Jazz's car. Jazz was surprised to see an angry looking Electra storming over, scowling darkly at Derris. Mandy was at her heels, far more placid then the older girl.

"Hey, Electra," Derris said calmly. "Find any good interviewees?" Electra didn't respond to the question, and her accusing scowl didn't let up.

"Why didn't you tell me this is the city the Mansons moved to!" she asked in an angry hiss, "And don't you dare try to tell me you didn't know!" Jazz was honestly surprised when Sam's last name fell from the girls lips. What the heck could the Mansons have done to tick off a big time Hollywood actress?

"Because," Derris said simply, "I knew that then you'd come along for the sole purpose of harassing the poor girl,"

"Poor girl, nothing," Electra snorted, "She deserves to suffer. What's this? Where are you taking her?" Jazz, already bewildered enough as it was, suddenly found herself the center of attention.

"Actually, Jazz is gonna show me the hot spots in Amity, Electra," Derris said smoothly. "Mike's inside talking to Mr. And Mrs. Fenton and Mr. Masters, give him the list and call Garfield and tell him to come pick you up here, he knows the address."

"No thanks," Electra said at once. "I'm not in the mood to go back to the hotel. Mandy can take care of it, I want to have some fun. You don't mind if I tag along, do you, Jazz?" Derris clamped his jaw and narrowed his eyes, looking as if he wanted to protest for a moment, but Jazz missed this in her confusion.

"Not at all," She answered, "The more the merrier, right?"

"Thank you," Electra said, taking the passenger side before Derris could move to claim it, "It's nice to know some girls around here can be genuinely welcoming," Jazz smiled a little at the compliment and subtle sling at girls like Star and Paulina as she climbed into the drivers seat and Derris (rather irritably) took the back.

He knew full well what Electra was doing. While Derris had a talent for smooth talking people until they saw things his way, Electra took a drastically different approach. She more or less bombarded complete strangers with her bizarre moods and ideas and took advantage of their confusion to get what she wanted. And right now she wanted some serious payback.

"So you go to Casper High, Jazz?" Electra asked lightly, purposely turning Derris out of the conversation. "I've never been to a Public High School. What's it like?"

"Actually, and it's a little sad to say this, it's not that different then Hollow High is on Spirits." Jazz admitted, "Ghosts attacks every day, unforgiving teachers and the constant threat of the populars."

"Do you know what college you're going to?" Derris asked, determined to be part of the conversation and Electra be damned.

"Not yet," Jazz answered. "I've been accepted into all the Ivy League Colleges, but I think I want to go somewhere a little closer to home," Derris and Electra both gaped at Jazz like fish out of water.

"Why?" Electra asked, staring. Jazz shrugged and shifted uncomfortably.

"I have my reasons," She said firmly.

'I could never just leave Danny like that,' She thought to herself. 'I'd go out of my mind with worry before the week was out, and who know the things he might get into without me to cover for him with mom and dad…'

"Here's the place," Jazz said, turning to park in the Bowl-O-Rama.

"Bowling?" Electra exploded, "We're going bowling?" Jazz felt her face heat up at the girl's tone, realizing belatedly how low-class this would seem to someone used to the finer things in life.

"Well, I would take you to the Amusement Park or the Theatre or even the local music store, but everything else is closing up now so-!"

"Bowling's fine, Jazz," Derris assured her, "If Electra doesn't like it, she can find something else to do." Behind Jazz's back, Derris shot Electra a look that told her she was more then welcome to do so. Jazz, however, only smiled at him in relief, taking his hand when he opened her door for her and offered her help out.

Pursing her lips, Electra exited the car, 'accidentally' stomping on Derris' foot as she passed her co-star.

"She doesn't like me, does she?" Jazz asked, watching Electra's retreating back.

"No, Electra doesn't have a problem with you," Derris chuckled, "It's me she hates,"

"Why? Did you two used to date?" Derris looked alarm and repulsed at the thought of an intimate relationship with the Starlet.

"No!" He said, shuttering slightly, "I think I've always just been able to rub Electra the wrong way, and the way her attitude gets annoying sometimes…"

"I understand," Jazz said, smiling slightly, "Danny and I bickered a lot like that, actually."

'Before he found out I knew about the ghost thing, that is,' Jazz added mentally, 'Now things have been really cool between us for a while…'

"You and your brother are close, aren't you?" Derris asked casually, trying to get a feel for what kind of threat the boy would be to him.

"I like to think so," Jazz said, smiling, "We put a lot of faith into each other, and are really proud when the other succeeds. Honestly, there aren't really any secrets between us. Still, sometimes I get the feeling Danny only thinks of me as his meddling, overprotective older sister…"

"I'm sure you mean more to him then that." Derris assured her with a smile that was a little more forced as he held the door open for Jazz. Major threat. WAY major.

"Thanks," Jazz said with a slight laugh, ducking inside. Electra was waiting impatiently for them both to get in, eyeing the shoe counter distastefully

"Jazz?"

"Tucker?" Naked surprise flickered across Jazz's face as her little brother's best friend approached them. "What are you doing here?" Danny, Sam and Tucker usually avoided sports at all cost, and since Sam had her own bowling alley none of them saw any real need to go to the public one, where Dash, Paulina, Star and Kwan hung out almost as regularly as the Nasty Burger. As a matter of fact, they were right now grouped in a corner talking, apparently well aware of Derris and Electra's presence and currently plotting a course of action.

"Danny and Sam wanted to talk to me about something in person, and since they dragged me away from Doom VI, I told them I picked the place." Tucker shrugged. Jazz flinched slightly, though applauded Tucker's brilliance. Danny avoided this place like a plague ever since the whole disastrous thing with Paulina, Kitty and Johnny (What had she seen in that jerk?) so making him come back there was the best payback for ruining an evening of solitude.

"Wait, Danny and Sam?" Jazz said, horror striking her as she remembered what Electra had been yelling at Derris before they'd come here. "They're both gonna be here?"

"Yeah," Tucker frowned, not seeing the problem, "Why?"

"Tucker there you- JAZZ!" Danny slid to a stop in front of them, his sneakers squeaking loudly against the polished wooden floors. Danny's expression turned from surprised to guarded when he saw Derris standing next to Jazz, "What are you doing here?" Jazz flinched, knowing from his tone of voice that whatever he needed to tell Tucker was important and Ghost related.

"Just, you know, hanging out," Jazz said airily.

"Danny, what's the hold… up…" Sam stopped dead next to Danny, her face paling as she gaped openly at Electra, who returned the look with a vigor. Then, both girls' expressions twisted into fury, and a twin cry filled the bowling alley.

"YOU!"

WoM- I sense much anger in my general direction right now… 'shirks away guiltily.' Sorry! The chapter's already 11 pages long, though, and I'm really getting close to the deadline. Don't worry, I've got a break coming up so Next chappie should be longer.

Thanks to;

the sleep warrior

Tetsukon

Shades-of-Pink

Shell

Purple Person

Miyo86

Questions;

Purple Person ('laughing' yeah, can't blame Jazz's anger over that. Wonder what she'd do to her parents if they really did allow something like that... 'winces ' Lets not find outm shall we?)

Next update; November 24th, Thanksgiving! See you then!