Links in the Chain
By Lacey52
.o.O.o.o.O.o.
A note: The chapters have no real, set length, I'm sorry to say. However long it takes me to get something out that I need to get out, that's how long the chapter shall be. No promises on chapter length. 'Tis life, what else can I say?
Edited March 22, 2006.
.o.O.o.o.O.o.
Chapter Two: Glimpses
.o.O.o.o.O.o.
It had been a long, long weekend. Emphasis on long. Danny wasn't sure, but the trip that was supposed to be relaxing for him and slightly stressful for his parents seemed to have flipped…only there was no 'slightly' to his amount of stress.
"We're almost back to Amity, now dear. I really can't wait to implement Toulon's new theoretical particle ray," his father droned on as his mother nodded and would shush him gently if he got too loud.
Hair tickled Danny's arm every time he started to nod off, not bothering him enough to shift, but supplying enough sensation to keep him awake. If he moved, he'd wake Sam up, and he didn't want that. She was as tired as he was, and proof of that was laying on the form of her boots on the floor of the car. Sam never took her boots off in a car, let alone fell asleep like she was.
The weekend trip to some Ghost Convention-Rally-Theory-Proof-Thing with his parents was supposed to just be an excuse for the trio of friends to get out of town on spring break. Tucker had unintentionally lucked out and had to stay home. His mother had caught him on the internet at 3 in the morning for the eighth time that week.
'He was upset, but after he hears about this weekend he'll end up acting like he knew and planned it all so he wouldn't have to go,' Danny sighed to himself as he began to make his way back to sleep-land.
Somewhere along the way, Sam had finally moved. The fact that she was now curled into his lap wasn't important. Well, other than the fact that she was warm, it felt nice, and he could feel his arm once again.
The feelings of contentment swept over him, though he felt slightly guilty about taking advantage of her sleeping state of mind to help him rest. That and the realization that his parents were up in the front seat started taking the 'relaxing' out of the moment and putting the 'please don't let anyone figure out that I've started this again' in.
'Geez, I even sound like a pervert to myself…' Danny sighed as he tried to get more comfortable, 'All I'm doing is opening my mind the tiniest bit, and she's not pushing me out. The second she wants me to stop she'd tell me…unless she doesn't know I'm doing it, which is possible because she's asleep and…'
Jack hit a particularly nasty pot-hole then, effectively ending the halfa's internal monologue, 'I guess it's no use worrying about it now. It's not like it's affecting anything…the ghosts at the convention, though. They definitely affected our sleep patterns.'
He moved his right hand to rest on her waist and leaned his head into his left hand, resting his elbow on the door. Usually ghost conventions were dull and at a nice hotel. They usually pushed the ghosts out of the area. Too many scientists out to catch them all stuffed into one place. This time, however, some idiot had invented a 'ghost magnet'.
'Idiot is the gentle word,' Danny growled to himself, 'At least they got the nice hotel part right and we weren't bored out of our minds,' he shifted to find a more comfortable position, leaning his head back and ending up with his left hand sunk into Sam's hair, 'This is much more comfortable,' and with that he was finally asleep.
"Finally home," Maddie sighed as she turned to the two who were out in the backseat, "Jack, look at these two. Sometimes I wish I still carried a camera with me like I used to do when they were little. I have so many cute pictures of them."
"Well, let's get them up and in. It's getting late," Jack turned to shake Sam awake when Danny's hand shot out in an iron grip and his head snapped forwards. Eyes wide and looking for all the world like he was awake, Danny simply held his father's wrist, preventing it from moving one way or the other. This, of course, gave Danny's mind a chance to catch up with the rest of his body.
"Danny?" he heard his mother call, pulling him fully into the land of the living, "Are you alright, dear?"
"Uh, yeah Mom," he quickly released his father's hand and sent a silent 'Thank you' heavenwards that he hadn't in any way gone ghost, "Sorry Dad, you just startled me."
"It's fine Danny, but I must say," his father chuckled and rubbed his wrist, "you've got a healthy Fenton grip. Now let's get inside and worry about unloading the car in the morning. Then you can walk Sam home or whatever. I'm sorry I didn't drive her, but I don't think I could have lasted much longer in the car."
"It's fine Dad. Sam," Danny said , only causing the girl to curl into him further and murmur nonsense, "Sam, come on, wake up. We're home."
When no answer came, Danny simply unbuckled the both of them, slipped out and then reached back in to pull Sam out. Gently, of course. His parents were currently stretching their legs and backs, talking excitedly over the car about the convention.
"Still about the convention," Danny rolled his eyes as he stood up completely with Sam in his arms, closing the car door with his foot. Sleepily, he shifted Sam until he thought she was somewhat comfortable, and trudged to the door.
'Now to get it open,' Danny thought to himself, contemplating various ways for a few minutes, before giving up and turning back to his chattering parents.
"Um, can one of you get the door, please?" Danny asked as politely as his sleep-deprived mind would allow. Holding Sam wasn't exactly taxing, but the thought that he might have to stand there and wait while his parents went over every detail about the gathering wasn't appreciated. He was tired enough as it was.
"Oh! Of course sweetie," Maddie smiled at the sight her son made with the girl in his arms and hurried to the door, unlocking it and pushing it open so Danny could edge inside, "Sorry you had to stand there for so long."
"Not a problem, Mom," Danny said, shrugging before making his way to the couch and laying Sam down, "Sam's out. Is it alright if I call her parents and see if she can stay here for the night? I really don't think she'd be too happy if I woke her up."
"Of course Danny, we don't want them thinking we kidnapped her or anything," Jack laughed as he handed his son the phone, "It's late, but they'll be glad she's safe and, if not home, then near it."
Danny cringed, remembering the idiotic restraining order, 'Oh yeah, they'll be real happy that their daughter is spending the night at my house, just like they were thrilled when we invited her on the trip. Thank God for her grandmother being on Sam's side…'
Buttons pressed and ringing done an elderly man's voice came over the line, "You have reached the Manson residence. How may I assist you?"
'Gotta' love the staff,' Danny grinned to himself, "This is Danny Fenton. I just wanted to let Mr. and Mrs. Manson know that we're back from the convention in Howerton and Sam's asleep on my couch. I can't get her to wake up and when she does she just mumbles and falls asleep again, so I was gonna' ask if it was alright if she just sleep here?"
"One moment please, Daniel, while I inform the master of the house," and the line was silent. Danny ran a hand over his eyes and through his hair, tousling it even more. Dear Lord, he was tired…
"Daniel? This is Mr. Manson," Danny jumped when Sam's father's voice sounded over the phone.
"Yes sir?" Danny answered back immediately. No use getting on his bad side anymore than he already was.
"Your parents, yourself, and Samantha are currently at your home?" he sounded tired. Well, it was 12:47 at night…er, in the morning.
"Yes sir, we are. We just got back and I thought I should call you. Sam's out and I can't get her to wake up, so I thought it might be better if she stayed the night here?"
So it sounded like a question, big whoop. Danny was worried that he'd have some sort of lawsuit slapped on him for 'kidnapping' like his father had teased him about earlier.
"That's fine Daniel. It was…very responsible of you to call me. Thank you for letting me know where Samantha is at and that she's safe."
"No problem, Mr. Manson," Danny smiled to himself, "Uh…sir?"
"Yes, Daniel?" the man sounded torn between amusement and curiosity. Thank goodness that they were both 'friendly' emotions.
"I…uh, well," Danny cleared his throat, "Just, thank you…for not thinking anything bad. I know I haven't made the best impression before, but I really wouldn't ever hurt Sam. She's my best friend," and Danny felt good and bad and somehow relieved at just saying this to him finally.
Danny could almost hear the smile in his voice when he answered, "Of course Daniel. Samantha's known you for a very long time. Perhaps I was judging you harshly, but you must realize, I'd do anything to keep my little girl safe, even if it's from herself."
"Yes sir," he said yet again, "I'd do whatever it took to keep her safe, too."
A chuckle and then the voice, "I had a feeling you'd say that. Daniel Fenton, I may not know you as well as my daughter, but I have an idea that you and Sam are as thick as blood. Now, you must be very tired, so it's best if you turn in. Thank you for calling."
"You're welcome. Goodnight, Mr. Manson," Danny fought off a yawn.
"Goodnight, Daniel," and the line went dead. Danny clicked the phone off and replaced it in its stand. Looking around found him alone. His parents were either already in bed or already in the lab.
Yawning again, Danny made his way upstairs, grabbing the extra blanket off his bed and one of his pillows before saying, "Oh, screw it," to himself and phasing back down to Sam.
"Scoot over, Sam," Danny warned, thought she didn't acknowledge him, "you're gonna' fall off the couch."
Pushing her back further onto the couch, lest she fall off, Danny put the pillow under her head and the blanket over her small frame. Sweeping the loose strands of ebony hair from her cheek, Danny straightened to leave.
"Night Sam," he yawned, "Hope you say good morning to me before you mutilate me."
He shook his head as he floated back up into his room. It was going to be one heck of a morning in the Fenton household with a Manson on the loose.
.o.O.o.o.O.o.
"DANIEL FENTON!"
'It's morning already?' Danny blearily questioned himself. Peeking open an eye, his clock informed him that yes, it was morning, but no, it wouldn't remain that way for much longer.
It was at 11:43 that a slightly ruffled looking Sam barged into his room. Good thing he decided to sleep in an undershirt and sweats last night instead of just boxers.
"Where, exactly, are my boots at?" she stood at the side of his bed, arms crossed, foot tapping impatiently, "and congratulations on making it through the night after keeping me here."
Holding himself up on his elbows, Danny gave Sam a cheeky grin, "Good thing I don't sleep naked or anything, huh?"
"I didn't need to hear that!" Jazz's voice came from the hallway as she headed towards her room.
"Neither did I," Sam said as she plopped down beside him, "So? Are you going to answer or do I get to sit through another pathetic attempt at humor from a half awake boy with morning breath?"
"Ouch. Alright, alright," he stretched and sat up all the way, "You kicked your boots off on the ride home last night to curl up in the seat and sleep. They're probably still there."
"And my father? You did call him since they're in town, right?" Sam then eyed the teen beside her, "There aren't any warrants out for your arrest other than Walker's are there? Or did Dad just decide to hire a hit man this time?"
"Your father and I had a nice conversation, thank you very much, and you got to spend the night on the couch. I woulda' given you my bed, but you had already made yourself comfortable…..and I don't think I could've taken having 'the talk' again with Dad, or Mom…or Jazz."
"It's fine," Sam stretched as Danny stood and started rummaging for a fresh change of clothes, "That couch is really comfortable. You've had that thing since I can remember."
"Yeah," Danny smiled as he chucked his undershirt and pulled on a cleaner t-shirt, "Remember when you and me and Tuck would camp out on it?"
"Or when we pretended it was a mountain? That was the day you broke the picture frame and we swore to never pretend the couch was a mountain again."
"Yep," Danny laughed, "Hey, don't mean to kick you out, but I wanna' change…" he trailed off to hold up a pair of boxers and jeans, "Ya' know, it's a private thing….and I really don't want to have that talk…"
"Yeah, I get it," Sam replied dryly, "I'm going…oh, and Danny?"
"Huh?" he turned more towards where she was standing by his door.
"Thanks for carrying me in last night. Your Dad told me. And for the blanket and pillow. Jazz saw you sneak down."
He turned to her fully then, wide-eyed, "But only Jazz right?"
Smirking, she was out the door and closing it as she said, "Yep. She was on the stairs."
"Damn," Danny grumbled to himself, "I am gonna' end up having 'the talk'…with my sister!"
.o.O.o.o.O.o.
From upstairs an "Argh!" followed by a thump followed by an "Ouch! Not smart!" signified Danny was up and facing a new day. Sam just laughed while his parents looked questioningly from the ceiling to the girl, who had just come back downstairs.
"Oh, um…" Sam answered their looks as she poured herself a bowl of cereal, adding milk before sitting down, "Danny's just, uh, fearing a talk he may or may not have with his sister."
"Saaaam!" Danny stomped down the stairs, "One of these days something evil will happen to you!"
"What?" she shot back at him with a knowing smile, "Aren't you going to talk with your dad and mom…or maybe you're going to find Jazz first?"
Thump. Danny's forehead met the table beside her as he sat down.
"What's the matter boy? Did a ghost keep you awake last night?"
"No Dad," Danny sighed as he lifted his head, "It was just late when we got in, ya' know?"
"Yes, well," his mother pushed a rather reddish waffle towards him, "why don't you eat a blueberry pancake that I just whipped up on the new Fenton Hot-pad? Breakfast always makes the body feel better, although technically it's almost lunch time."
A chuckle slipped from Sam as Danny declined with a, "I don't really feel like pancakes right now, thanks," and she slipped her bowl of Cheerios towards him. She almost swore she felt something from him…almost like it used to be…
'That, Samantha Manson,' she scolded herself, 'is ridiculous. We stopped, end of story…'
"Thanks," said the boy in question around a mouthful, as he hungrily devoured the edible food and his sister observed the scene from the kitchen doorway.
"So…first you bring an unconscious Sam home, stick her on the couch and oh-so-sweetly tuck her in, then I hear comments about you sleeping naked, and now I see a minor spit swapage in the form of eating after her? Daniel Fenton, my theory on you is being proven!"
"And that is?" Danny asked dryly, glaring at the red-head with a tiny blush adorning his cheeks. Oh, she was going to get it later…
"Why that one day there will be little half-Danny, half-Sams running around this place!"
Thump. Danny's forehead got reacquainted with the table top, as Sam blushed to the roots of her hair and his parent's alternated between scolding Jazz, trying not to laugh, and placating the teenage pair in front of them.
Good thing school started again tomorrow…