All right people. I cranked out the happy music. Things are coming together now woo woo woo. I know I alluded to things in the last chapter but we'll the sorrow the wise men meant was the sorrow of having Jazz kidnapped. I can't deal with sorrow right now. Sorry to disappoint.

Again I must thank those of you who review. You are my sunshine on a cloudy day….

Chapter Twenty

Tucker woke up in a sweat. He could swear that he heard Jazz calling his name. He looked around his dark room then sat up and put on his glasses. He sighed deeply as he reached for his PDA.

He knew Jazz would tease him for immediately reaching for the device, saying that it was a terrible coping mechanism, but he didn't know what else to do. He did know that if she ever came back, he was taking her and running away, at least for a little while.

Tucker looked at the clock. Three AM. "Sam has me conditioned," he thought to himself. He climbed out of bed and made his way to the kitchen where he found the aforementioned girl, sitting at the kitchen table with her head in her hands.

"Hi Tuck," She said not looking up. "What are you doing up?"

"Bad dream," Tucker answered as he sat. He watched Sam for a moment. It looked like she had been crying.

"Danny came home a few hours ago," Sam said. "He couldn't find Jazz."

"I kinda figured that," Tucker replied as he watched Sam who still hadn't looked up.

"He ran into Vlad though," Sam told him and sighed in what Tucker interpreted to be in resignation.

"Is it really that bad Sam?" he asked unsure if he really wanted to know how bad things were.

"No," Sam said as she shook her head and looked up tiredly at Tucker. "It's probably worse."

Tucker tapped the table not wanting to hear what worse was. They had all been through situations that seemed impossible to get out of . They'd all seen bad. Hearing Sam say it was worse, made Tucker scared.

"Is Danny asleep?" Tucker asked almost dumbly. He knew Danny was asleep or he would be in the kitchen too.

"Not only is Danny asleep. He's still ghost." Sam said softly.

"That's bad," Tucker said knowing full well that Danny staying in ghost mode was how he dealt with things he didn't feel he could cope with as a human. He was hiding from his fears in the confident Phantom. "Jazz would have a field day with that you know?"

"I know," Sam said sadly as she lifted her head and gave Tucker a thoughtful look. She smiled slightly, knowing Jazz's secret. She hoped soon that she could hug and congratulate Tucker.

Tucker's eyes met her and he raised his eyebrows. "So missy," He said softly. "Are you going to let me in on the bad news or are you just going to let my imagination run rampant?"

"I think you'd much prefer to leave things to your imagination Tucker," Sam almost laughed.

"You're saying that it's worse than I can imagine?" Tucker laughed. Sam shrugged. "Come on Sam. Spill the beans."

"Okay," Sam said. "Remember that stupid ring?" Tucker nodded his head. "Well it gets even more stupid." Sam began to detail the story Danny had told her. Leaving out the parts about Jazz.

"So," Sam finished "Vlad has found a way to get rally the ghosts behind him and the truce has ended. He wants Danny to join him, be his servant. We're hoping we can find Basnater and get the ring back."

"And what about you and Danny?" Tucker asked.

Sam's expression was haunted. "I don't see that we have many choices left? How can we fight fate? I thought we could try, but the obstacles keep getting bigger and bigger."

Tucker reached over and took Sam's hand. "I don't think you should give up. You love each other. Shouldn't that be all that matters? I've been giving things some thought."

"Thinking Tuck?" Sam teased. "Isn't that dangerous?"

"Yes," Tuck answered half seriously. Sam smiled as she turned her hand in his and squeezed.

"Danny is going to face these obstacles no matter what. If you're in his life. If your not in his life. Things are going to happen to him. He's a trouble magnate. But at least he has you. Maybe you make him feel like all the trouble he goes through is worth it. Imagine what things would be like if he just stopped fighting."

Sam smiled slightly as she stood and stretched. "Maybe you're right Tuck," she said. "But that doesn't make me feel any better. We still have that stupid law trying to keep Danny and I apart."

"I think they'll change their minds," Tucker said optimistically. "Especially if they know what's good for them." Sam half laughed as she walked to the kitchen door.

"Sleep well Sam," Tucker said.

"Who said I was going to bed?" Sam asked in bewilderment.

"The feet that are taking you there," Tucker answered as he stood and walked with her down the hall. Sam smiled then stopped at her door.

"There is nothing more to say right now," Tucker told her. "Just take care of Danny."

"Okay," Sam said. "Good night Tuck."

"Good morning Sam," Tucker laughed as walked into his own room and shut the door to face his own worries.

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Jazz stood in Vlad's lab looking a little disoriented. She walked forward shakily and touched the control panel before her, setting off a silent flashing alarm. Her tail twitched slightly and she paused looking around nervously her eyes closed and the tail disappeared.

Vlad appeared and Jazz took a deep breath and smiled, resisting the urge to cover her mouth and teeth. "Hello Uncle Vlad," she said shyly.

"Jasmine?" Vlad asked in confusion. He looked warily behind her, as if he expected someone or something to come charging out of the portal.

Jazz spread out her arms and walked forward. "I've come back to you." She said softly her eyes meeting his shyly. Vlad took a step back then steadied himself. He waited a moment then walked forward meeting her almost halfway across the room. Taking her by the shoulders he phased a hand through her.

"Why did you do that?" Jazz asked in confusion.

"Just making sure you haven't been overshadowed by an opposing spirit," Vlad answered as he looked down into her face.

"No," Jazz said as she took a deep breath meeting his gaze honestly. "I ran into the Ghost Zone and had sometime to think. I decided that joining forces with you would be the most logical and prudent course of action." She smiled sweetly and put her hand to the side of his face.

Vlad narrowed his eyes at her. "We've been through a similar situation before Jasmine," he said as he removed her hand from his face. "I know you are not to be trusted."

Jazz lowered her eyes from his a look of pain washing across her face. "That was then. I've had time to grow and learn and reason. I think I know what's best for me now." She arched up on tip toe and placed a lingering kiss on the corner of his mouth.

Vlad's eyes widened and he pushed Jazz away from him. He looked at her as if he expected her to change to an evil creature at any minute and attack. She simply looked back at him in hurt confusion.

"I'll show you to your room Jasmine," he said nervously, keeping her at an arms lengthe. "You must be tired."

"Yes," Jazz agreed. "I'm very tired." She smiled as she followed him down the hall. He placed her in the same room as before. He stood at the door and watched as she took off her shoes and sat on the bed.

"Good night." She said perkily. "I-I hope maybe we can talk in the morning. I have things I need to tell you."

Vlad closed and locked the door behind him and made his way down the hall then into his study where he sat down and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Something wasn't right about Jazz. He knew her to be smart. She was playing a game. Had she seen Danny? If she had, why would she come back to him?

"Vlad!" he heard someone yelling in anger. He froze and listened again. Was that his Maddie? He ran down the hall, down the stairs and looked down at the entry way where she stood. Teal hazmat suit, red goggles and ecto-gun.

Maddie caught sight of Vlad and raised her gun. "What have you done with my daughter you creep?" she yelled.

Vlad straightened himself and smiled. "Maddie Maddie Maddie," he said suavely as he met her at the bottom of the stairs. "Jasmine is fine. There is no reason to worry about her."

"Come any closer," Maddie growled. "And I'll shoot you Vlad Masters."

"Ahhh Maddie," Vlad said as he spread out his arms. "I am unarmed. You would shoot an unarmed man?" Maddie eyed him a moment and dropped her guard. Vlad moved forward and disarmed her quickly.

"I came for my daughter," Maddie said as Vlad wrapped his arm around her waist and removed her goggles and the hood of her suit. He smiled as he looked into vividly violet eyes. Her eyelids dropped and focused on his mouth. Vlad shivered in anticipation then tightened his arms around her and brought his lips in sweet contact with hers. Maddie wrapped her arms around him and returned the embrace, and Vlad closed his eyes wondered how the world kept from breaking into song. Maddie smiled against his lips then had to concentrate as her four tails appeared and disappeared.

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"Thank you Wulf," Jazz said as he sat her down in a darkened room.

"Ne dankinde." Wulf said as he patted her shoulder and smiled. "Bonan ŝancon!"

"Good bye," Jazz said as she watched the ghost open a hole between their worlds and disappear. Taking a deep breath she turned and walked forward.

"Tucker," She whispered softly as she sat on the edge of his bed and shook his shoulder.

"Jazz?" Tucker asked as he opened his eyes sleepily.

"Wake up Tuck," She said. Tucker sat up suddenly alert. He blinked at Jazz a few times before she threw her arms around him.

"How?" Tucker asked as he closed his eyes and held her close. "How did you get here?"

"Wulf brought me," Jazz explained as she sighed deeply. Tucker pulled away and looked at her for a moment then kissed her gently.

"Are you all right?" he asked as he held her to him.

"I am now," Jazz answered as she smiled. "Scoot over. I'm tired." Tucker laughed slightly and moved over so Jazz could lay beside him. They wrapped their arms around each other and fell into a deep sleep.

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Danny was sitting in on the couch flicking the channels looking for some mindless television to numb his overworked mind when Jazz came sneaking into the living room. She jumped over the couch and tackled him.

"Jazz?" he asked in surprise.

"Danny?" Jazz asked back happily.

He blinked at her a few times then asked, "How did you get here?"

Jazz opened her eyes wide and leaned forward. "By magic," She said teasingly. Danny gave her an exasperated look.

"Wulf brought me," Jazz answered as she stared her brother in the eyes. "Vlad had kidnapped me. Why are you sitting here watching television?"

"Because I can't think," Danny answered tiredly.

"Where's Sam?" Jazz asked.

"What is this?" Danny replied. "Twenty questions? Sam's still asleep. Where's Tucker?"

"Still asleep," Jazz answered as she hugged her brother.

"Have you told him yet?" Danny asked.

Jazz pulled away and looked at her brother questioningly. "Told him what?"

"You know what," Danny teased.

Jazz's eyes widened. "You know?" She gasped. "How do you know?"

Danny smiled at his sister. "Sam found the test in your bathroom," Danny answered. "Kinda sloppy of you." Jazz smiled sheepishly. "Mom thinks Sam's the one whose pregnant though."

"She what?" Jazz asked then laughed.

"Not funny," Danny said softly. "When are you going to tell Tuck?"

"As soon as possible," Jazz answered then blushed as she looked at her brother. "It was kind of an accident, and kind of Vlad's fault."

Danny laughed and hugged his sister. "I really don't want to think of Vlad having anything to do with it Jazz," He said in a serious tone of voice, " But I'm happy for you. You better marry Tucker or Dad really will have a heart attack."

Jazz grimaced. "I know huh?" Her grimace turned into a smile as she put her head on Danny's chest.

"Hey," Sam said as she stumbled tiredly into the living room. Her eyes lit on Jazz and she smiled as she rubbed her eyes. Jazz who was leaning against, felt her brother's heart pick up in speed and she laughed.

"Does seeing Sam always make your heart race?" Jazz teased.

"Yup," Danny answered as he smiled at Sam who was now standing over them.

"I'm not one to beat up a pregnant woman," Sam said to Jazz half seriously, "But if you don't move…" Jazz laughed and scooted over so Sam could sit in between her and Danny. Sam put her hand on his heart and smiled.

"I heard someone say pregnant." Tucker said as he entered the room. "Sam?"

Danny, Sam and Jazz all looked at each other for a moment. Jazz cleared her throat and stood. "Um. Tucker," She said. "You and I need to have a little talk." She took him by the hand and lead him into the kitchen. Danny and Sam looked at each other then sat up and looked into the kitchen from the back of the couch.

"You're what!" Tucker screeched. Danny and Sam looked at each other in alarm. Then there was silence and more silence. Next thing they knew Tucker walked out of the kitchen holding Jazz's hand.

"We're getting married." He announced smiling broadly. "And I'm going to be a father." He put his arm around Jazz and looked at Danny expecting something. A punch or a yell.

"We're happy for you both," Danny said as he jumped over the couch and hugged Jazz then Tucker.

"Yeah," Sam said as she smiled at Tucker and Jazz. "Happy." She frowned a moment then looked down at the ring on her finger and sighed. Tucker, Jazz and Danny all looked at each other then at Sam…their joy diminished slightly.

"Tucker," Jazz said. "Take me home. I need a shower and a change of clothes. I also need to call work and we need to talk to my parents and um…His name is going to be Wulf." She looked at Tucker wide eyed for a moment then ran into his bed room.

"What?" Tucker said as he ran after her. "Wulf?"

Sam shook her head and sighed. "So now what Mr. Fenton?" Sam asked. "How are we going to keep Jazz safe and deal with Vlad and all the horrible Ghost Zone stuff."

Danny sighed deeply. "I was thinking about that," he said very softly. "I suppose I should move back home. To be closer to the Ghost Portal and all."

Sam nodded her head. "And break any contract between you and I." She said. Her eyes brightened a little. "That doesn't mean we can't like, date."

"I don't think there's a law against dating," Danny laughed as he held Sam tight. "You know I love you right?"

"Yes I know," Sam said softly. "I love you too. It's just that…" She trailed off and closed her eyes.

"I know it's not fair," Danny finished for her. "But we'll figure something out Sam. I promise."

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Vlad opened his eyes and smiled to greet the new day. He sat up and looked around the room. He could hear someone rummaging in his closet. He frowned as he climbed from his bed and opened the closet door. He looked down to find a small fox. It had chewed all of his shoes. The dog barked at him then bounded out of the closet then onto the bed.

The fox transformed into a woman, with four tails and white fur, wearing green robes. She sat on the bed and smiled playfully at Vlad.

"Good morning Uncle Vlad," She said in Jazz's voice then laughed and transformed into Maddie then back into the fox creature. "I hope you slept well."

"What the!" Vlad growled. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Michie jumped off the bed and walked over to Vlad. "My name is Michie," she said. "I was sent here for you." She smoldered at him.

"What for?" Vlad asked in horror as the fox spirit came closer. He put up his hand for her to stop.

"For you," Michie said sweetly as she stayed where she was.

"I know what you are!" Vlad said as he stepped to the door. "You're a fox spirit."

"Yessssssss," Michie drawled.

"Fox spirits are dangerous," Vlad told her.

"So are you," Michie purred. "So I have heard."

"Who sent you?" Vlad asked as he looked around for an escape. "Was it Daniel?" He didn't know Daniel had connections with Japanese spirits. This was highly unusual.

"You are not pleased with me?" Michie asked as she pouted.

"No! Yes! No!" Vlad said. "I am pleased with you. Who sent you? Why are you here?"

"Jasmine sent me," Michie said. "And Wulf." She smiled a wild ravenous smile. "They said I was to take care of you, but did not specify in which manner. So, I get to choose!"

"Dear me," Vlad said. "Look at the time. I have appointments."

"Liar," Michie accused. "You're scared. You're scared of women." She laughed scornfully as Vlad regarded her in horror.

"I am not!" Vlad denied. "I'm wary of strange spirits like yourself. I demand that you leave now!" Vlad yelled as he changed into ghost form.

"Impressive," Michie said as she examined Vlad's new form. He growled at her and she put up her hands. "All right. I'll leave. You can destroy me easily after all." She sighed as she started to walk out of the room.

Michie turned and looked Vlad in the eyes and said. "It has been said, that it is a terrible deception to cheat ones self out of love. Neither eternity nor time can recompense the loss." She looked sad then began to vanish as she walked away.

Vlad thought as he watched her go then moved forward, paused then called, "Wait!"

Michie stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Yes?" she asked. Vlad smiled.

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Sam had just finished washing the breakfast dishes when she heard a knock on the door. She waited for Danny to answer, but apparently he didn't hear the knock. She hesitated for a moment then walked to the door.

Sam stood at the open door with her mouth open. Three rather large men were standing on the step looking down at her sternly. "Hello Melchior, Gaspar, Basnater." She said as she moved aside and gestured for them to enter.

"Good day Samantha," Gaspar said. "We have come to seek an audience with Daniel and yourself."

"I'm glad," Sam said. She cleared her throat. "If you'd like to sit, I'll go get Danny." She watched out of the corner of her eye as all three ghosts arraigned themselves on the floor.

Danny was sitting at his computer with ear phones on typing away furiously when Sam walked up behind him. "Danny," she said. "We have visitors."

"Who?" Danny asked as he took off the ear phones. He searched Sam's face worriedly and she smiled slightly.

"Come with me and you'll see." Sam said as she took his hand and lead him to the living room.

"Daniel," Melchior said as he pointed to the floor in front of the trio. "Please sit and talk with us."

Danny held on to Sam's hand and they sat. "They were smaller in the Ghost Zone," Sam whispered to Danny.

"We are here," Gaspar began.

"To grant you a special dispensation," Melchior said.

"In regard to the law." Basnater finished.

Danny and Sam looked from the trio to each other. Danny started to smile and Sam tried to stop him.

"A friend of yours has interceded in your case. We are aware of the hardships you have faced," Basnater said. "We are aware of the torment Plasmius has visited upon you and your family."

"We are aware that he sought to destroy the peace accords set up between you and the other citizen's of the Ghost Zone," Gaspar said.

"And in the process seize control of the citizens by use of his strong ghostly abilities." Melchior added.

"But as I now possess the ring," Basnater said as he held up his hand and revealed the small green stoned ring on his right pinkie finger. "I have the power to uphold the peace accord and strike Vlad down where he stands."

"But Plasmius has become," Gaspar started.

"Otherwise occupied," Melchoir finished.

"With what?" Danny asked in surprise.

"A woman," Basnater answered. "Sometimes, even the most bitter men are only so because of loneliness. We feel that as long as he is occupied thusly. He will not be a threat."

"Lets hope whoever she is never gets tired of him," Sam whispered to Danny who was sitting with an odd look on his face.

"Therefore," Gaspar said.

"It is in our authority," Melchior started.

"To allow you the privilege of entering into a matrimonial contract." Gaspar finished. Danny squeezed Sam's hand.

"But there is a catch," Basnater said as he stared into Danny's eyes.

Sam's shoulders drooped. "There's always a catch. Isn't there." Danny broke his gaze from Basnater and looked at Sam.

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I need a review here. You're point of view! I can keep this story going a little longer or wrap it up. What say you?