ANOTHER filler chapter….review….please.
Chapter Eleven
Sam looked behind her for a moment as they left Jack's hospital room. "What's going on in there?" she asked.
"I think Vlad is planning on hitting on Jazz," Danny answered with a worried look on his face.
"One word," Sam said a she shivered. "Eww."
Danny laughed. "I am tempted to be a fly on the wall just so I can witness the tremendous smack down Vlad's going to be getting. Mom's already freaked out." He smiled at Sam as he put his arm around her.
Sam began to feel better instantly, her afternoon brooding was fading from her quickly. "I had a kinda hard afternoon." Sam said. "I really want to talk to you, but I guess it can wait."
"Why was your afternoon hard?" Danny asked tenderly. "Did your mother call and bug you about a wedding dress?"
Sam shook her head and lifted her hand for Danny see. The ring on her finger looked like a normal every day ring, no longer embedded in her skin.
"You found something you hate huh?" Danny asked as he looked from the ring to Sam's sad face.
"Yeah," Sam answered in near shame. "But it still won't come off, but since it's no longer attached to my skin, maybe we can pry underneath the band and cut it off."
Danny shook his head, "Ghost cursed rings don't work like that."
"Too bad," Sam said as she rubbed her hand along her jeans.
"What were you thinking about?" Danny finally asked as they started walking down the hall.
Sam thought for a moment. "It's not that important," she said. Now that she was standing beside him, she didn't want to bring up the subject of what happened with Valerie. The thought of talking about it made her feel ill.
"I was just thinking, that maybe you don't really love me. Maybe you just think you do. Maybe it's just propinquity. Maybe you're just settling." Sam continued. The flood gates were open in her heart and she couldn't hold things back any longer.
"Propinquity?" Danny asked in confusion. "What the heck is propinquity?
"Closeness or proximity." Sam clarified as she watched the confused expression on his face. "Do you just love me because I'm here? Because it's convenient?"
Danny gave her a funny look. "That's ridiculous," he laughed. "No. It's not just propinquity." He paused. "Did you get that off of a word of the day calendar or something?"
Sam gave him a tired look. "No, it's just part of my though process for the day."
"Okay," Danny said as they continued to walk. "I love you Sam. Does there need to be anymore than that? Can't it be that simple?" He looked at her and smiled almost scared she was going to back out on him and leave him broken hearted and missing her, he could tell she was emotionally backing away.
"I love you too," Sam said. "But that doesn't change the fact that you and I are ill fated."
Danny made a sound of disgust. "You want to talk ill fated. Just imagine Jazz and Vlad married and living in Wisconsin with a dozen little Vladletts running around Jazz's feet."
Sam made a disgusted face. "That's just wrong Danny! Ugh!"
"We'll have to tell Tucker," Danny continued. "It will be great watching his face."
"You just want to torture him," Sam accused.
"He's done it to you and I for years." Danny said in outrage. "He's taunted and teased and pushed and never relented trying to get us together. We owe him."
"Oh I always have my ways of getting back at Tucker for the teasing and the taunting he's done over the years," Sam said almost evilly. "But, you realize we're going to lose him to her if we do," Sam sighed worriedly she was very selfish where Tucker was concerned, some how he was always her buffer against her feelings for Danny. . "Here is where I get selfish. Maybe we should sabotage the whole thing."
"We have to let Tucker go sometime," Danny told her softly. "And better to Jazz than anyone else. If we play our cards right he could be our brother-in-law, and he'd never be able to get away from us."
Sam started laughing, "You're right. I hadn't looked at it like that."
"Feeling better now?" Danny asked as he watched her face. He knew there was more she was holding back, but then Sam never revealed all of her feelings..
"Yes thank you," Sam answered. "Except I'm going to get my finger cut off on Saturday."
"Aghh!" Danny groaned. "Did you have to remind me?"
"Yes," Sam answered in amusement. "Giving you a hard time is the highlight of my life."
"Oh joy," Danny said as he took her hand and they continued down the hall.
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Tucker couldn't believe he was willingly walking through a hospital, carrying a bouquet of roses and hoping that he could talk Jazz into accepting his earlier proposition. He had just rounded a corner when he spotted Danny and Sam. He stopped short and panicked. They hadn't seen him yet. He still had a chance to get away.
"Tucker?" Jazz asked as she spotted him. Tucker stopped and blushed.
"Hi Jazz," He said. She stopped in front of him.
"Are those for me?" She asked teasingly. "I thought we weren't going to meet until tomorrow."
"Yes," Tucker said almost shortly and shoved them bouquet into her arms.
Jazz's forehead furrowed in worry. "What's wrong?"
"There's trouble around the corner," he said. Jazz gave him an amused look and peaked around the corner then laughed.
"I can't believe you're actually running from Danny and Sam," Jazz said. "Why are you such a sour puss these days?"
"Thwarted affection," he answered as an amused light filled his eyes.
"Oh," Jazz said. "Well let's run and hide from those two monsters and finish our discussion from this afternoon."
"Okay," Tucker said hesitantly then followed Jazz.
"You wouldn't believe my day so far," Jazz told him as they walked. "Vlad is in my Dad's room."
"Oh geeze," Tucker said as he shook his head. "He has to be up to no good."
"He's been hitting on me," Jazz said flatly. "I swear! It's creeping me out!"
Tucker cracked up laughing and Jazz gave him a doubtful look. "It's really not funny Tuck," Jazz said in mock offense. "If you witnessed it you'd be creeped out too.
"Trust me," Tucker said. "I am creeped out. It's just also unbelievably funny."
"So, I was hoping you'd protect me from him." Jazz said looking hopeful.
"And I was hoping you'd have an early answer for me," Tucker replied teasingly.
"Maybe," Jazz said. "I don't know Tucker. I need time."
"Time is fine," Tucker said. "But I'm still moving out of Danny and Sam's apartment before I become the casualty of some sort of crazy catastrophe, and the offer to be my roommate still stands."
"We both know that if I moved in with you Tuck, that it would turn into so much more than that," Jazz said trying to be sensible.
"I know," Tucker said evilly. Jazz smiled and tried to force herself to be sensible. It was really, really tempting to take Tucker up on his offer, but she just couldn't do it. Not without weighing the pros and cons.
"Sense and Sensiblity!" A voice called from behind them. "Is that Jasmine Fenton?" Both Tucker and Jazz turned around and came face to face with and older more pot bellied, Mr. Lancer. "And Tucker Foley…Well I'll be!" He looked around frantic for a moment. "Don't tell me Danny's here!"
"Hi Mr. Lancer," Jazz smiled happily. Tucker was frozen in horror beside her. "It's been awhile!"
"Yes it as," Lancer said as he eyed Jazz. "Hmm I heard you were a doctor. I'm quite proud of you!"
"Thank you," Jazz said then looked at Tucker who was still frozen like a deer in headlights. "Tucker snap out of it or I'll rat you out to Danny and Sam."
Lancer laughed at Tucker. "You've certainly changed Mr. Foley. No PDA I see."
"The PDA is in his car," Jazz said. "Can't bring it into the hospital without turning it off. I insist he leave it in the car because he's kind of addicted to it."
"I see," Lancer said. "Yes, yes makes sense." His eyes widened and he looked back and forth between the Jazz and Tucker. "Are you two..uh…umm."
"Dating?" Jazz asked in amusement.
"Trying to," Tucker finally said as he broke out of his fearful trance.
"Yes we are," Jazz amended as she threaded her arm through Tuckers. "So Mr. Lancer why are you here?"
"Visiting my mother," Mr. Lancer said. "But I'm a little lost."
"We'll help you find her," Tucker said and smiled as he whispered to Jazz. "Danny bane. He'll never come near us if he sees Lancer." Jazz laughed as she started down the hall with Tucker and Mr. Lancer in tow.
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The evening passed with Tucker managing to avoid Sam and Danny. He still cared about his friends, but he could see things finally falling into place and he was afraid to disrupt the delicate balance.
Tucker Foley had been the councilor between Sam and Danny for years and years and he was ready to move on from that job. He wanted to have a life of his own. Yeah he'd become a prolific dater through college. But, finally he was in reach of something he'd wanted for a very long time, Jazz Fenton.
Weird right? How bizarre that Tucker Foley had a thing for Jazz Fenton? But she was stable and smart and funny and beautiful and even though she joined in the Fenton Family ghost stuff, she wasn't totally obsessed and consumed by ghost hunting. In fact she could careless about ghosts.
Tucker crawled tiredly into bed, his thoughts on Jazz. His crush had started in high school and try as he might he could never get over it. When Jazz started dating Todd he was resigned, but when he found out she was going to marry that jerk, well it was too much and all he wanted to do was run away. At least he had Sam to talk to. Sam understood unrequited love quite well.
Tucker shook his head at the thought of Sam. Repressed, the girl was deeply repressed, always hiding her deeper feelings in the deeper recesses of her heart. It was discussions of Sam which had always given Tucker reasons for contacting Jazz. Of course Jazz used the opportunity to keep tabs on Danny. Tucker felt like he and Jazz were the silent witnesses and protectors of Danny and Sam's lives. It was a bond he did his best to take advantage of. Tucker wanted to quit his job as witness and protector though, and if Jazz said the word he'd run off with her anywhere she wanted.
The still self professed Techno Geek was just about to close his eyes and drift into sleep with a light knock resounded on his door. He sighed deeply and shook his head. He had wondered how long it would take Sam to seek him out to talk. Tucker donned his robe then opened the door and stepped aside as Sam walked into his room and sat down in "her" chair.
"You've been avoiding us," Sam accused as she folded her feet beneath her on the chair and looked at Tucker who was putting his glasses back on. He gave her an exasperated look and she smiled.
"I don't think you guys need me around," Tucker said. "Things seem to be working out between you. Finally."
Sam looked down at her hand and picked at her fingernails nervously. Tucker knew that gesture all too well. He sighed deeply and Sam looked up at him. "I'm sorry Tuck," she said. "I don't mean to make you feel like we don't need you…"
"I don't feel that way," Tucker said in exasperation. "I just feel…"
"Overburdened?" Sam asked honestly. "I'm sorry about that too. Still I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You'd talk to Danny," Tucker told her. "You're so used to hiding you feelings away that you don't even know how to discuss them anymore. I'm your crutch. You start feeling worried or unsettled and you're in here."
"I'm sorry Tuck," Sam whispered softly. Tucker surveyed the Goth girl he'd known forever. Curled up in her chair in her long nightgown and robe, her face clean of makeup she looked fourteen years old again. He watched her sad face as she picked at her fingers. His heart was moved with love for this girl, his best friend of many years. No, he didn't love her like he loved Jazz, but he loved her nonetheless.
Sam looked up and surveyed the look on Tucker's face. "Do you want me to leave?"
Tucker considering saying yes for a moment. He always paid the price for these open hearted sessions with Sam. She'd get back at him for showing her vulnerabilities by being extra mean and sarcastic. He understood that she didn't mean to be so hard on him, it was just her way of compensating for letting him see her weaker moments, he was simply tired of being patient and long suffering Tuck.
"No," Tucker said resignedly. "You need to talk. So talk."
"I was thinking about Valerie today," Sam said. "And the whole incident." Tucker nodded his head. He knew what the incident was. He was there when it happened."
"I hate her," Sam said softly. "Isn't it wrong to hate people?"
Tucker shrugged, "Your feelings are understandable Sam. She hurt you. She hurt Danny. You love Danny. You feel threatened by her. Natural feelings."
Sam sighed. "I'm scared."
"I know." Tucker replied. Sam smiled. "So talk to me. I'm going to move out soon and well…you're going to need to learn to.."
"Call you at 3am?" Sam asked hopefully.
"Talk to Danny," Tucker finished. "You need to learn to lean on him. He won't break if you do you know. You're always so scared to tell him anything negative."
"Do you think he has just settled with me?" Sam asked worriedly. "I mean he really cared about Valerie and she rejected him. He turned to me, but is that because I was there? If she comes back into our lives am I going to fade out of his?"
"Sam," Tucker said in exasperation. "That's ridiculous. Danny loves you just as much as you love him. He's always loved you. Why are you so blind? You need to talk to him. You'll feel better."
Sam sighed as she uncurled herself from her chair. "I don't want you to move out Tucker."
"Yeah well I'm going," he said toughly. "So live with it. I'm not going to be the shadow in your relationship with Danny. You both need to stand on your own without me."
A single tear fell from Sam's eye and Tucker sighed. If she started crying his resolve would start to falter and he'd be stuck forever. "No crying Sam," he said. "I'm not ending our friendship. I'm not moving a million miles away. I'm just taking control of my life so I can be happy! I am allowed to be happy right?"
"Yes," Sam said guiltily. There was so much more she wanted to discuss with Tucker, but she could see he was withdrawing. Sam stood and opened the door. "But I'm going to miss you so much Tuck." Tucker walked over to her and gave her a big hug.
"I'm not going to say that I'll miss you," he teased. "I'm looking forward to some peace."
"Ha ha," Sam laughed as she returned the hug. "I love you Tucker you big jerk."
"I love you too, Sam you horrible witch." Tucker said as he looked up to find Danny in the hall with a glass of water in his hands and eyes that were suddenly glowing green. Tucker laughed and spun Sam around to look at Danny.
"You two really need to talk," Tucker said. As he pushed Sam toward Danny. He smiled at both of them then turned and went into his room and closed the door.
Danny looked from Tucker's door to Sam. He knew about Sam's tendency to run to Tucker when things were bothering her, but he couldn't help but feel a deep and intense stab of jealousy.
"What are you doing awake?" Sam finally asked.
Danny held up his glass. "Thirsty," he said. Sam nodded her head and walked to her bedroom door.
"Are we going to the hospital for Jack's surgery?" Sam asked as she paused and turned to Danny. She should talk to him, but he had enough pressure on him she reasoned.
"Yeah," Danny answered as he searched Sam's face. He could tell by the look on her face she was shutting down, but was unsure how to reach her. "Sam," Danny said she looked at him for a moment.
Goodnight," Sam said quickly then entered her room and shut the door. Danny stood in the hall for a moment, sighed then went back to bed.
Tucker sighed heavily as he leaned against his door. "Darn it Sam," He growled as he crawled back into bed and fell into a troubled sleep.
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Jack's sailed through his surgery and his recovery began with him still resting in the hospital. He expressed to Sam how upset he was that he couldn't be at her first art exhibition, but she understood. There would be enough people there and her parents didn't get along very well with Jack and Maddie Fenton so keeping them apart was always a goal.
Saturday dawned bright and cheerful, which put Sam into an irritated mood. "Why does it have to be so nice when I need rain?" She asked Tucker as he sat at the kitchen table shoveling cereal into his mouth.
"Because mother nature doesn't consult your moods when she sets the weather," he answered. "How criminal."
Sam of the bad mood paused and looked at Tucker. She was going to say something bitingly sarcastic, but figured Tucker was looking for an excuse to get out of this evening. She of course would have tried to get out of the evening too if she knew the exact reason Tucker was so frantic to find a reason to escape.
"I get my finger cut off tonight," Sam said matter of factly as she wiggled the ring on her finger. "I think it's ironic that something that I cried over so much as a kid and was so happy to call my own a few days ago, would cause me so much grief."
Tucker took a big swig of orange juice then eyed Sam for a moment. "Don't go all negative on me now Sam," he said. "It's too early to put you together if you fall apart. You can do it after we cut off your finger, and when you do, we'll let Danny pick up the peices." Sam sent him a sarcastic look.
"Morning!" Danny said as he entered the kitchen looking like he could still use a few more hours of sleep. Tucker watched his friend light up as he looked at Sam and wished Sam could see what he saw so she would feel a little more secure.
"Yes," Tucker said. "We are all rays of sunshine this morning." He stood and washed his breakfast dishes. "Now I have to go meet Jazz. I'll talk to you both later."
"Meeting Jazz for what?" Sam called to Tucker's retreating back. Danny waved half heartedly as Tucker fled the kitchen.
"Did you sleep well?" Sam asked as she eyed Danny for a moment. They hadn't spoken to each other much in the last few days. Sam had withdrawn a great deal leaving Danny who had come to enjoy the open affection between them feeling confused, but trying to understand.
Sam stood and cleaned her breakfast dishes then turned nervously to Danny. "I need to go to the gallery," she said avoiding his eyes as he watched her. "Then there are a million things I need to do today. I'll see you at seven." She attempted to race out of the kitchen but Danny grabbed her.
"Sam," he said as he quickly took her wrist. "I..err are you all right?"
Sam relaxed a little then half smiled. "Just really nervous," she told him. "big night for me you know." Danny smiled back as leaned bent toward him and offered him a quick kiss, but he wasn't going to accept a mere peck. He pulled her down to him, she didn't fight it and he gave her what he felt was a proper kiss, not the emotionally devoid caresses she'd offered the last few days. His heart began to race as she relaxed and melted against him.
"I'll see you tonight my Sam," Danny said finally letting her go and looking into her sleepy eyes.
"Okay," Sam said as she sighed then left almost reluctantly. Danny chuckled to himself as he watched her go.
He waited a few minutes until he was sure Sam was gone then he picked up the phone and dialed.
"Hi Val?" he said. "We're a go for tonight right? Just to make matters worse, do you have any leather?" Danny laughed. "Yeah a bullet proof vest might be nice too."
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Vlad tapped his fingers along his chin as he held the phone to his ear. He didn't care much for plotting against Daniel too much these days, but he'd grown tired of waiting for Maddie to realize she chose the wrong man. He figured he could help along Jack's demise via an explosion of one of the dolt's many devices. He was not prepared however for the rush of panic which ensued when he found that Jack was on the brink of death.
How many years had he plotted and planned to push Jack out of the way so he could win the heart of his long sought after Maddie? Well too many to count actually.
Vlad silently took credit for the discovery of Jack's heart condition. Provided that his friend would survive. Vlad wishing for Jack Fenton to survive. Imagine that after all these years. But, people change. Situations change and Vlad now had a new desire and a new goal and this time he wouldn't fail. This time nothing could stand in his way. He would succeed.
Yeah, so he had a conscience, but he was still a bad guy…to the core. Vlad smiled as he held the phone and waited for the voice on the other end to answer.
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This chapter isn't my absolute best but well. I don't have anything to say except sometimes I have hills I need to get over to find better parts of a story.
My reviewers have abandoned me just when I need them the most….I'd beg for a review, but it doesn't do any good now does it? So well if you read this far then you will review for me otherwise I guess you won't……..
It has been said that time heals all wounds. I'm telling you now, that is a lie. Never believe it! Never. Always prepare yourself, always guard your loves and your heart for that one painful moment when those most precious to you slip away out of your life and into the inevitable arms of death. Make that phone call everyday. Say those words, I love you, everyday. You're always going to want one more moment, one more chance, a few more words, but if you don't fight for those moments…then what do you have once the person you love most is gone? A bunch of what ifs and I should haves. My Mommy died three years ago today and I'll never get over it. The pain I feel is as fresh and overwhelming now as the day it happened, and so is the anger. The emotions I feel are like some kink in time space which links my heart back to the wretched and agonizing moment my sister told me Mom was gone. Never walk away from someone you love without letting them know how you feel. Treasure every, every second….
Look Mommy, I'm writing again. I just wish you could share this with you. This is dedicated to you. Everything to you Mom. Always and always your Sweetie Peach. I miss you. I need you to tell me what to do with a broken heart that never heals.