I have thought over the T verses M rating and I decided to take it on a chapter by chapter basis. A brief section of this chapter will questionably fall into the M rating, just to warn you. Otherwise it's fairly safe.

A lot going on here, but mostly it's a filler chapter with some plot development. Setting up situations as it may be said. Hope you like.

Warm and cuddly hugs for all my awesome reviewers. You've made me feel so much better as I felt so horrible. Thank you so much!

Chapter Eighteen

Vlad stood in front of the open door in the Ghost Zone and growled in anger. He floated around the room, looking for clues to Jazz's whereabouts, but all he found was an open book on the floor. He picked it up and noted it was missing more than a few pages.

"Apparently," He said slowly. "I underestimated Jazz's resourcefulness." Of course, as crazy as he was, he found Jazz's escape to be endearing. He had come armed to confront her with the test results Todd had given him that morning, and though he was extremely peeved at finding her gone, he was also amused.

"The game is afoot Jasmine," Vlad said as he searched the room again. He knew that she hadn't gone home. Had she talked to Danny, Vlad knew that he would be back to exact his vengeance for kidnapping his sister.

"Make that his pregnant sister," Vlad said. He smiled happily. It didn't matter that the child was not his, the fact that it was Maddie's grandchild was enough. His goal now was to find Jasmine before Danny did and hold her for at least nine months until he could lay claim to her child.

"Where did you go Jasmine?" Vlad asked as he floated to the door and looked out on the Ghost Zone. "I will find you before Danny does. Mark my words." Vlad smiled as he closed the door.

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Danny flew through the Ghost Zone with a troubled mind as he kept his eyes open for changes that indicated a living creature had passed through the formlessness. He had woken early in the morning with dreams of his sister. The first thing he did was wake Sam.

"I have to find Jazz," Danny said as he changed to his ghost form. Sam looked at Danny and smiled slightly at the look of determination on his face.

"But do you have any clue where to look?" She asked as she walked forward and stood close to where he floated.

"No," Danny answered as he put his hands on Sam's waist and pulled her close to him. "I'm hoping that maybe the ghosts have noticed things. Not much passes them by." He lifted the chain Sam was wearing and looked at the green stoned ring threaded through it. As much trouble as the piece of jewelry had caused, Sam still harbored sentimental attachment to it.

Sam looked at the ring dangling in front of her and then at the questioning look in Danny's eyes. He had thought he put it away safely, apparently not.

"About the ring," Sam said sheepishly.

"Yes?" Danny asked as he leaned close.

"Well," Sam said as she looked away from the intense green phantom eyes and at the symbol on his chest. She traced it for a moment and looked back up at Danny sheepishly. "I missed it."

"You missed it," Danny repeated as he raised his eyebrows. Sam shrugged and Danny laughed. She looked again at the Danny Phantom symbol on his chest.

"Have I ever told you that you're extremely sexy when you're Phantom?" She asked then looked him in the eyes as a delicate pink flush began to tinge her cheeks.

Danny grinned. "I am huh?" He laughed.

"I always have the urge to tickle you when you're like this," Sam admitted her eyes filling with a devious light.

"You can't tickle me," Danny informed her, as he became even more amused.

"Why not? " Sam asked as she traced her fingers lightly up and down his sides. She took a deep breath as she watched desire flair in his eyes.

"Because I can just phase out, just like every other time you've tried," Danny answered as he put his hand on the side of Sam's face and claimed her lips with his own. A sweet sigh escaped from Sam as he pulled her closer. All thoughts concerns flew out of his mind as he held his beloved in his arms. The thought whispered into his mind that he'd never really kissed Sam while in ghost form. He'd kissed her cheek from time to time but never like this.

There was something different about kissing her now. He was overcome with an intense and almost overwhelming rush of desire and love. He started to press closer to the sensation but a warning alarm went off in his mind and suddenly he felt like they were being watched.

It took a great deal of effort to fight back to reality instead of losing himself in the very essence of Sam, but he managed to let go and take a step back, breathing heavily. Sam looked up at him in a daze.

"I-I need to go," Danny said as he shook his head, still trying to break the spell.

Sam watched him for a moment. She was sorely tempted to step toward him and resume the unexplainably delicious connection between them, but something in the corner of her mind was warning her, so she stepped back instead, putting her hand to her throat and sending Danny a questioning look.

"Be careful," was all she could manage to say. Was that her voice shaking? Her heart was still pounding fiercely in her chest, making her feel like she'd just run a marathon. Danny blinked at her for a moment as if it took him awhile to process her meaning then nodded once in affirmation before flying out of the room, phasing through the wall as he went.

Danny shook his head and did his best to concentrate on finding Jazz as he continued to fly throug the Ghost Zone. Unfortunately his thoughts kept drifting back to Sam . He circled back around and looked again for things he may have missed.

"Stop thinking about her," Danny chastised himself. "Just stop. You need to find Jazz. Find Jazz."

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"Sam it's too early," Tucker complained as she pulled him out of bed and made him put on his jogging cloths. "Besides I barely slept last night as it is. You don't want to make me run right now."

"Running is good for you," Sam said in a perky tone which failed to fit her Goth image. "It clears the mind. Clears out the emotions. Helps you see clearly." Sam paused a moment and almost said, "Clears out the hormones."

Tucker gave Sam a weird look. "It's six in the morning Sam," he said almost angrily. "I'm not going."

"If you don't I'll sit in here and pester you until you do," Sam said stubbornly. "I won't let you have any peace. I need to run Tucker really, really bad and I'm not supposed to leave you alone," She paused. "Or is it that I'm not supposed to go out alone." She thought a moment then shrugged as she watched Tucker tie his shoes.

"You know," Tucker said grumpily. "For someone who is supposed to be Goth. You sure are a perky little health nut."

Sam was already jogging in place. "Come on Sloth," she teased. "Don't be such a big baby."

"Yeah too bad you don't have a fake PDA to tempt me with," Tucker said dryly, alluding to the time she'd tricked him in the ninth grade to help him pass his fitness test.

"If I thought it would work again," Sam said. "I'd do it. Come on lazy bones move your butt!"

"Okay," Tucker snapped as he stood and followed Sam out of the apartment and onto the street. Sam took off running, fast. Tucker groaned in misery as he chased after her. Danny would have his skin if he lost track of her, and he didn't know what was worse, being taunted into fitness by Sam or having his life threatened by Danny.

Sam felt the rush of endorphins kick in and her mind began to clear. She almost sighed in relief then looked back at Tucker for a moment who was straining to keep up with her. She slowed down a little and looked to the road in front of her. Suddenly she stopped. Tucker caught up to her, breathing heavily and grabbing his side.

"Why'd you stop?" he asked. He looked at Sam who was staring wide eyed down the road. She pointed and Tuck looked to see one of Walker's henchmen approaching.

"Run!" Tucker said as he grabbed Sam's hand and they headed in the other direction.

"Yeah," Sam said as she ran beside Tucker. "Since when have we ever been able to out run a ghost?"

"We've done it lots of times," Tucker said with effort as he ran.

"When we have the thermos," Sam argued. "Do you have a thermos with you?"

"No," Tucker answered. Sam tightened her hold on his hand and stopped. She turned and faced the ghost who was floating no more than five feet away.

"Samantha Manson," the ghost called.

"Uh oh," Tucker said. "It's for you." Sam jabbed him in the ribs.

"What do you want?" Sam asked. "I'm kinda busy as you can see."

"Yeah because ghosts always make appointments," Tucker said dryly, "Their courteous like that you know."

"I have come serve you with a subpoena to appear before the Tribunal in the Ghost Zone and insure that you comply," The ghost said. "By authority of Constable Walker."

"Constable?" Tucker asked. Sam elbowed him in the side again.

"Why?" Sam asked.

"For violating the law," The ghost answered as he moved toward Sam.

"Wait!" She said holding up her hand to stop him. "Can I bring Tucker with me?"

The ghost gave her a strange look and Tucker started shaking his head. "Hell no!" He yelled. "Don't you dare drag me into this mess!"

"Too late," Sam said as the ghost swooped down and whisked them away, to the Ghost Zone. "Sorry Tuck."

"You so owe me Sam!" Tucker growled. "Big time."

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Jazz was sitting on the floor nearly hypnotized by the formlessness of the Ghost Zone. She didn't know where Wulf had gone, but she wished he would return. What she really wanted was a shower and a change of clothes.

"Who are you?" a voice said from behind. Jazz turned in shock to see a fox like creature approaching her, a menacing look on her face.

"I'm Jazz Fenton," Jazz said, as if that would explain everything. The fox creature pricked her ears forward as she walked closer as if smelling Jazz.

"Where's Wulf?" she asked her four tails swishing around her almost in agitation.

"I don't know," Jazz said as she looked down at her feet. She hoped that the creature would see her posture as non threatening.

"You may call me Michie," The creature said as she continued to curiously examine Jazz.

"Thank you," Jazz replied she looked up and met the fox spirit's glowing green eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Michie asked, seeming to hide her hands in the deep sleeves of her green robes.

"Wulf rescued me," Jazz answered. "He brought me here."

Michie covered her mouth as she smiled and laughed slightly. "Wulf rescued you? A human." She laughed a little more then shook her head in amazement.

"Do you speak Eperanto?" Jazz asked. Michie covered her mouth as she smiled again and nodded her head.

"Maybe you can stay and help me," Jazz said softly. "I don't understand Wulf. He rescued me and I need to get back home. I need to find my brother."

The creature continued to examine Jazz. She smiled roguishly. "You're pregnant!" She announced as she reached forward and touched Jazz. She smiled a beatific smile that scared Jazz.

"I know," Jazz said as she pulled away from the creature. She put her hand over her stomach protectively and the creature advanced again.

"Ne!" Wulf yelled from the entry to his domain. He rattled off something quickly in his language causing the creature to laugh.

"Wulf," said Michie, "Has actually dared to threaten my life if I dare take possession of your unborn child." She smiled sadly. "Which is regretful. I would so dearly love to take real physical form again. She narrowed her eyes at Wulf. Jazz nearly choked in fear as she backed up against Wulf who put his hand on her shoulder protectively.

Wulf said a few words to Michie which caused the fox spirit to sigh. "Wulf says for me to tell you that you are not to fear. You are under his protection. I can't hurt you because I owe him many promises of honor."

Jazz said nothing, she simply stared wide eyed at Michie. Life had become too strange. Yes, through Danny she'd been exposed to many ghosts, but never had she been forced into the Ghost Zone and into so much trouble. She wished she had weapons with her. She knew she could kick serious ghost butt if she had ghost fighting weapons. As it was, however. She'd have to trust Wulf.

"Can you ask Wulf to take me to Danny?" Jazz asked Michie. Michie interpreted for Jazz then frowned as she looked at the girl.

"It's too dangerous at this time," Michie answered. "He won't say why either. Just to trust him."

Jazz sighed the thought. "Can he at least find Danny and tell him I'm all right?"

"Ne," said Wulf. Jazz sighed then looked at Michie.

"You're safe here," Michie said kindly. "Wulf is kind. He likes you too." The fox spirit sighed then sat down and curled her tails around herself.

"How long am I going to be here?" Jazz asked her feelings of worry began to grow and she forced herself to remain calm.

Wulf spoke and Michie interpreted, "He's not sure. He says he'll contact Danny as soon as he feels the danger has passed." Michie then smiled and said. "Do you think, that if perhaps you opened your eyes any wider, they might pop out of the sockets?"

Jazz closed her eyes and laughed bitterly then bit back her tears.

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"Well, well," Walker said as the henchmen he sent brought Sam and Tucker to a holding cell. "There she is. The girl who has caused a stir in the Ghost Zone."

Sam looked at Tucker a moment. Tucker only shrugged his shoulders. "What am I here for?" Sam asked.

"The Tribunal wants to see you," Walker drawled. "Probably to dole out punishment. They don't change much very often. You must have done something pretty bad to have caught their attention this fast."

"Yeah Sam," Tucker teased. "What have you been doing that might get these guys all mad?" Sam looked at Tucker a moment then blushed a deep shade of red. She put her hands to her cheeks and wondered that they weren't permently stained with a blush. Tucker regarded her with wide eyes for a moment and shook his head and decided he really didn't want to know.

Walker pointed to the door and gestured for Sam to go though it. He looked at Tucker and said, "She goes in alone."

Sam looked at Tucker a moment. "Go on Sam," he urged trying to let his relief show too much. "It's time to face the music." Sam grimaced then walked through the door.

Three wizened old men were sitting on mats on the floor. They pointed to a mat in front of them so Sam sat. She waited and waited and waited. Sam wasn't a person who bowed to often to authority, but she understood the gravity of the situation, this had to have something to do with her and Danny. So it took her longer than usual to break and say something.

"Okay guys," she finally said. "What do you want? Why have you brought me here?"

"I am Melchior," said the man on the right. he was short and fat wearing brown robes and long flowing gray hair and green eyes. "Beside me is Basnater and then there is Gaspar." The two men nodded. "We are charged with a decision."

"You are a human," Gaspar said he was short and fat wearing brown robes and long flowing gray hair and green eyes. "Do you understand the implications of your actions earlier this day?"

Sam frowned she didn't know what they were talking about. "No," she said.

"Ignorance of the law does not make you above it," Melchior said in a chastising tone.

"But since you are not a citizen of the Ghost Zone and a living human, we can overlook your error," Gaspar said as he began combing his fingers through his beard.

"Well," Sam said as she cleared her throat. "Since I am not a citizen of the Ghost Zone as you say, you really can't have any jurisdiction over me and what I do."

"Danny on the other hand," Gaspar said. "Is under our jurisdiction."

"And how do you figure that?" Sam asked as she clinched her fists. "He's not a citizen of the Ghost Zone. He exists and lives in the human world. He's human."

"He's Phantom," Melchior insisted.

"Ghost," Gaspar agreed as he nodded his head.

"There are rules Samantha," Melchior said almost angrily. "Rules we enacted for a reason!"

"But Danny is unique!" Sam argued then thought of Vlad. "Well mostly unique. His case cannot be what the law was created for. Had a ghost hybrid ever existed when it was written?"

"Well," Gaspar said thoughtfully. "No."

"It matters not," Melchior said shortly. "A ghost is a ghost. Law is law."

"Danger is danger," Gaspar added. Sam growled in frustration and the trio watched her again.

"If perhaps," Melchior said. "You'd be willing to give up something."

"Something that means a great deal to you," Gaspar added thoughtfully.

"It might sway our opinion." Melchior finished.

Sam looked at them in disgust. "Do you mean bribe you?" she asked. "You want me to bribe you in order for you to change the law so that Danny and I can marry?" She shook her head. "What kind of law makers are you? Twisted and corrupt! Danny and I don't have to marry we can just…"

"Ahh!" Gaspar interrupted as he raised a finger and tilted his head. "But you cannot! Your actions this morning made that fact quite evident!"

"I don't understand," Sam said in confusion. "What did I do this morning…." She paused and covered her mouth with her hand and felt yet another blush cross her face. "Oh!" She said.

"So what would you be willing to give up?" Melchior asked. "Do you love him enough to give up your family? How about your riches? Your art? Would you give up your friend Tucker?"

"Would you let Danny give up those things?" Gaspar added.

Sam put her hands on her ears and closed her eyes. "I'm not listening to this. How dare you ask me to make those sacrifices to serve your silly purposes."

Basnater chuckled as he broke his silence for the first time. Melchior and Gaspar looked at him from the corners of their eyes then turned back to Sam.

"Will you?" they asked in unison.

"I refuse to answer," Sam said as she folded her hands across her chest.

"So you in the interest of your pride. You would give up the one you say you love. We can forbid that you spend your lives together as lovers. We have that power," Melchior said.

"Would you give up everything for him?" Gaspar asked. "Your own life?"

Sam smiled slightly trying to ignore Melchior's words. "I've already demonstrated that I would put my life before his. I don't need to sit here and discuss this with you. I know that I belong with Danny and he belongs with me."

"So you would," Gaspar confirmed. He looked at Basnater who was sitting with his hands folded in his black robes .

"The ring," Basnater said. "Would you be willing to give me the ring you wear on a chain around your neck?"

Sam swallowed hard as she grabbed the ring. "What do you want it for? It's a powerful thing I've heard."

"Not powerful for us," Basnater said. "Only for you. Would you give me the ring?"

"I will not buy your acceptance," Sam said stubbornly. "I don't do bribes. You should accept Danny and I! Change the law because it's ridiculous!"

"It saved Jasmine," Gaspar pointed out.

"Yes," Melchior agreed. "If not for our law, she'd be in deeper trouble than she already finds herself in."

"You know where Jazz is?" Sam asked in excitement.

"Yes," Gaspar answered. "She's safe and sound. No need to worry about her. She's no longer under the care of Plasmius."

"Can't you make an exception?" Sam asked. She looked at Basnater who stared back at her with unblinking black eyes the cropped black hair on his head seemed to bristle.

"The ring?" Basnater asked.

"I will not try to bribe you," Sam answered as she turned away.

"The law is the law," Gaspar began. "Without laws we would cease to know peace here in the Ghost Zone. They hold back the creatures who seek to resume life in the living world."

Ignoring Gaspar and Melchior. "Why do you want the ring?" Sam asked as she locked her eyes with Basnaer's

"To protect it from use," Basnater answered. Sam clutched the ring tightly.

"If that's the true reason," She said as she tried to keep the emotions out of her voice. "I'll let you have the ring. Even if your decision sides against Danny and I. You can still have the ring."

Basnater held out his hand expectantly. With shaking hands, Sam took the ring of the chain then crawled forward and delicately placed it in the wise man's hand, careful not to touch him in the process.

"Thank you," Basnater said as he closed his hand over the ring and tucked his hands in his robe sleeves. "Our ruling will be that the law stands as is. We warn you now. Should another instance such as this morning happen. We will be forced to take dire action."

"Living as you have been constitutes a unspoken contract of matrimony," Gaspar said coldly. "We recommend terminating said contract."

Sam blinked back the tears which began flooding her eyes then she paused. She and Danny had been together several times in ways which were far more intimate than this morning, and yet they said nothing then? What was different about this time? She frowned. He hadn't been in ghost form then, that was the difference. Perhaps they weren't alerted to what was going on between them when he was human. Sam blushed again and covered her face with her hands and wanted to laugh at how embarrassing this situation was.

"I would rather die first," Sam finally said as she finally looked up and locked eyes with Basnater.

"That can be arraigned," Basnater replied in a matter of fact tone which sent a chill down Sam's spine.

"Ahh Basnater," Melchior said as his harsh expression softened. "Perhaps we are being too hard on these children. Maybe we should deliberate for awhile. Take things into consideration."

"Her heart seems to be honest and true," Gaspar pointed out. "And he has done a great deal for the Ghost Zone. Perhaps a reward is in order."

"And they do love each other," Melchior added.

"Fine," Basnater said in what looked like annoyance. "We will continue to deliberate on this matter."

"You are dismissed." Melchior said as he gestured for Sam to stand and leave.

"Wait!" Sam cried. "What about Jazz. You know where she is. Can't you tell me…"

"The girl asks a lot of us," Gaspar growled.

"At this time," Basnater said gently. "We cannot tell you where Jasmine Fenton is. For her safety and perhaps your own. Rest well Samantha Manson knowing that she is safe and sound."

Sam took a deep breath. "Thank you," She said then backed out of the room.

Walker was leaning against the wall looking at Tucker who had an irritated look on his face.

"Well," Walker said. "Looks like they're done with you for now. And you're none too happy with the results. Sorry 'bout that."

Sam didn't respond to Walker. "Jerks," She said to Tucker. "They're a bunch of jerks."

"What do you expect," Tucker asked. "It's the Ghost Zone."

'They were trying to get me to bribe them!" She growled. "I can't believe it!"

"Bribe?" Walker asked then laughed. "No girlie they were testing you." He smiled. "Now off out of the Ghost Zone for you. We don't like your sort to stay here too long. Too disruptive having you here."

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"I think you scared the girl," Melchior said as he looked at Basnater.

"I did not scare her. You plainly saw that she was not scared," Basnater disagreed.

"But," Gaspar said. "We upset her greatly."

"I say we sanction their marriage," Melchoir began as he smiled to himself. "She is right. He is not entirely a creature of the Ghost Zone."

"It's not likely that they will take up residence in the Ghost Zone either." Gaspar added both ghosts looked at Basnater.

"The law does not seem to apply in this instance," he said as he looked at his brothers. "Is it agreed upon?"

"Yes," Melchior and Gaspar said.

"That let it be added to the law," Basnater said in a resounding voice, "That in the case of a ghost hybrid Danny Phantom the law is in exception and the rules of the living may apply."

"Who will tell them?" Gaspar asked.

"I will," Basnater answered, "We will wait until their joy can be whole. For now, it will only be eclipsed by sorrow."

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So, I intended for this story to be humorous, but it seems that these fingers here have penchant for drama. Dag nabbit! I changed the genre.

I hope this chapter is okay. I hope you are still liking this story. I'm fighting to get it where I want it to be, I just need to get Jazz out of her current situation and things will go better from there. Of course there are some plot developments and such which need to be addressed

I'm sorry. I feel like I'm failing this story and you

So review and let me know how badly this stinks.