I am going to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has reviewed for me. I am grateful to the extreme. Thank you thank you. You make me happy and I adore you.

Chapter Seven

Valerie was always right, Danny agreed. Had he listened to her instead of insisting he stay so late, he wouldn't be in the situation he was now.

"What's this Fen Turd?" Dash asked as he caught Danny off guard and swiped the messenger from his pocket. Danny knew better than to ask for it back. He simply blinked at Dash then looked at Kwan who was smiling slightly as he stood beside the big blonde jock.

"It's the way I keep in contact with Sam," Danny answered as he watched Dash throw the device to Kwan who looked at it and laughed.

"Want Kwan to hold it for you while we bash you head in?" Dash asked as he smiled sadistically as he handed the device over to his friend.

"How considerate of you to ask," Danny said dryly. He'd been working with his mother on self defense yes, but he didn't think he could take on both Kwan and Dash at this point.

Dash grabbed Danny and put him in a headlock. "So where is your karate now?" Dash asked as he tightened his lock on Danny's neck. Danny used one of the maneuvers his mother taught him to break away from Dash then stood in a defensive stance.

"Look Kwan," Dash said. "I told you he looked all mean and dangerous."

"I don't want to hurt you Dash," Danny growled hoping he sounded menacing enough to deter the bully.

"Hurt me?" Dash laughed then turned to Kwan. "Didn't I tell you he'd grown a spine." He looked back as Danny. "So Valerie kisses you and you suddenly like are tough or something?"

Dash feigned a punch then spun and ended up kicking Danny to the ground. "Feels good to have the air kicked out of you doesn't it?" Dash asked as he picked a gasping Danny up off the ground by his shirt. Danny brought his knee up and kicked Dash between the legs.

"You're right Dash," Kwan said as Dash doubled over and grabbed Danny by the back of the neck and held him far enough away that he couldn't be kicked. "He is begging for a butt kicking."

Dash cracked his knuckles and before Danny knew what was happening Dash jumped. Danny landed on the ground with a thump with Dash over him pounding away at his face. Danny just wasn't quick enough, not with Kwan there to help, but he managed to get away. Blood poured from his busted lip.

"All right," Danny growled as he took on a defensive stance. "You've had your fun. Now give me back my things and I'll be going."

"Oh no," Dash said as he moved forward with a deadly gleam in his eye. "We're not done with you yet Fentoina."

Danny took a deep breath and calmed himself. He could do this. He focused on Dash. Dash moved forward again to attack and Danny lifted his leg in a side kick that sent Dash flying back to the ground. Kwan jumped forward immediately and Danny managed to punch him in the mouth.

"Hey!" Kwan said as he stepped back in surprise. This wasn't part of the game. He looked at Dash who was standing with murder in his eyes. Danny kept his gaze locked with Dashes.

"Big tough guy huh?" Dash said as glared.

"I'm not taking your shit anymore," Danny growled.

"Oh really?" Dash asked. He held out his hand to Kwan who looked at him dumbly.

"Give me the toy," Dash told his friend in annoyance. Kwan pulled it of his pocket and handed it to Dash who looked the device over. He smiled at Danny then dropped the thing to the ground than brought his heel down on it as hard as he could, shattering it into a million pieces.

"Oh man!" Dash said in sympathy. "I'm so sorry. It was an accident. Awww"

Danny said nothing as he looked down at the shattered remnants of his only way to contact Tucker and Sam. He looked back up at Dash and Kwan we were laughing as they walked away.

He didn't have time to sit and contemplate the broken messenger. He had only a minute to get home. Luckily he could fly.

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The phone was ringing when he ran through the door. "I'll get it he yelled."

"I already got it," Jazz answered as Danny ran through the house and stood in front of his sister.

"It's so good to hear from you!" Jazz said. "You sound good!" She looked at Danny and the smile faded from her face.

"Yeah Danny's here," She replied to the phone as she gave her brother a questioning look. He gestured for her not to say anything and she nodded. She handed him the phone then watched as he took it and headed to his room.

"Sam?" Danny asked as he walked up the stairs.

"Hey," Sam said slowly. "How are you?"

Danny laughed then sighed as a warm relaxed feeling flooded through him. "I've been better." He laid down on his bed and closed his eyes.

"Ghosts?" Sam asked.

"Dash and Kwan," Danny answered. "They tried to beat the crap out of me. Broke the messenger." Sam gasped. "It's okay though. I'm not broken."

"Well that's a good thing," Sam replied. "I'd like to give those jerks a piece of my mind."

"And you literally could too," Danny joked.

"Oh Ha ha ha," Sam said sarcastically. "What's going on between you and Tucker?"

"He's mad at me," Danny answered. "It's not a big deal. I was being my usual jerky self that's all. How are you feeling?"

"A little like I just got beat up by Dash and Kwan," Sam answered tiredly. "But I can't wait to get out of this hell hole. This pink room is bad for my mental health."

"When are they going to spring you?" Danny asked.

"Believe it or not," Sam started. "I'm getting out of here next week, as long as I meet their conditions."

"Then you'll be home?" Danny said excitedly.

"Yup." Sam answered. "But I won't be able to run around with you for awhile." Her voice sounded sad.

"That's okay we can sit and watch movies or play games or something." Danny told her. "I can't wait to have you home. I've missed you so much." He paused. "There is so much I need to tell you."

"Yeah," Sam said on a deep breath. "I have things to tell you too Danny."

Danny closed his eyes tight. "Not bad things I hope?"

"Depends on your point of view," Sam laughed.

"You're healthy though. They didn't like give you two weeks to live or something?" Danny asked worriedly

"Don't be a dork," Sam replied. "The doctors all say I should be fine. It's not that kind of thing and I don't want to talk about it over the phone."

"Now I'm going to spend the next week worrying," Danny said as he tried to ignore the warmth flooding through him. It radiated from his heart and spread throughout all the rest of his body. Tears prickled at his eyelids. All he wanted at this point was to see Sam, to hug her and know she was all right.

"Don't," Sam said almost shortly. "It's nothing to worry about, and I'm sick of everyone's concern. It's driving me batty."

Danny listened to Sam talk a moment. "Is it about your dream?" he finally asked. "Did you want to talk to me about your dream?"

"My dream?" Sam asked in confusion Danny frowned. Sam speech was starting to slur. "Oh that? No it has nothing to do with that."

"Are you tired?" he asked.

"Yeah," Sam said slowly. "I just got medicated." She giggled a little.

"I'll let you get some rest then," Danny said as he cradled the phone close.

"I'll call again tomorrow," Sam told him. "Same time okay?"

"Sounds good," Danny replied.

"I love you," Sam said then hung up.

Danny put the phone aside then nearly jumped out of his skin as Jazz opened his door and walked in carrying an ice pack and a wash cloth. She said nothing as she sat on the edge of the bed.

"Been fighting?" she asked as she dabbed his bloody lip with the wash cloth. Danny winced and took the cloth from her.

"It's no big deal," Danny told her. "I handled it okay. It could have been worse."

"Stupid Dash," Jazz said as she shook her head.

"Yeah but strong," came Danny's muffled reply as he held the cloth and ice to his lip.

"Sam's doing really good though right?" Jazz asked her eyes filled with hope.

"Yeah," Danny answered. His head was starting to ache terribly. "Should be home sometime next week."

"We should do something nice for her," Jazz said as she stood and paced around the room.

"You want we should shave Paulina's hair and place it before Sam on a platter?" Danny asked in amusement. "That's something that would please Sam."

"No," Jazz laughed. "What kinda stuff does Sam like."

"Goth stuff," Danny answered and shrugged. "You know black, scary." His eyes lit up. "A plastic spider!"

Jazz gave him a weird look. "Not a plastic spider you dummy. How would a plastic spider be something nice?"

"The look on her face would be nice," Danny chuckled as he laid back on his bed and closed his eyes imagining the devilish look on Sam's face when surprised by a plastic spider.

"I was thinking like maybe a photo in a frame or something. I mean it's something she'd have to be careful with," Jazz said as she handed Danny a picture. It was of Sam and Danny Phantom. Sam was sitting down in a chair looking up with a smirk at Danny who was behind her making scary ghost hands like he was going to get her.

"Where did you get this?" Danny asked as he handed it back to Jazz.

"It doesn't matter. But I thought maybe I'd find a nice frame for it and give it to her as a get well gift. Is that okay?" Jazz asked.

"I guess," Danny said. "Sam has a few pictures of my ghostly side, just not any of us together." He smiled again.

"She'll like it then?" Jazz asked worriedly.

"Yeah." Danny nodded his head and again thought of the plastic spider, and maybe a bat.

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Valerie questioned Danny about his fat lip and he thought about what to tell Valerie. He didn't want her to start anymore trouble between himself and Dash.

"It's not a big deal," Danny said. "It was just an accident."

Valerie shook her head. "You're such a klutz that I believe you," she laughed as she kissed the corner of his mouth.

"Oh gee," Danny replied thanks. Valerie nodded her head as she leaned against him. They were sitting in the park enjoying the sunny day. Valerie felt happy.

"So you didn't tell me," She said as she tilted her face to look at Danny. "How did your talk with Sam go."

"Good," Danny answered. "She should be coming home next week."

"You'll tell her then right?" Valerie asked.

"Yeah," Danny said as he smiled. He noticed Dash walking by the bully looked at Danny and waved. Danny looked at Valerie and sighed.

"And Tuck?" Valerie questioned. "What about Tucker?"

"He already knows," Danny answered. He frowned as he watched Dash walk by again. He wondered what the Jock was up to.

Valerie finally noticed and she wrinkled her forehead in annoyance. "What the hell is he doing?" she asked forcefully.

"Waiting to cause trouble no doubt," Danny said then was startled as a blue mist erupted from his mouth, luckily the sensor on Valerie's wrist began to beep at the same time and she looked down.

"Danny!" She said. "I have…to go! I'll…call you!" With that she got up and ran. Danny stood and ran in the other direction, jumped in some bushes and went ghost. He flew up and around until he found Valerie fighting none other than Skulker.

"Can you find anything better to do Skulker than pick on poor defenseless girls?" Danny yelled as he threw a blast at Skulker.

"Who you calling defenseless?" Valerie yelled as she shot a blast at Skulker and then at Danny. Both ghosts dodged the shot.

"I've been looking for you whelp!" Skulker said automatically dismissing Valerie as a non-threat. "You and I have some unfinished business to attend to."

Danny ducked from another shot from Valerie then flew higher. "The only business we have Skulker is getting you back to The Ghost Zone where you belong."

"Not without your head to adorn my mantle!" Skulker laughed.

"I'll adorn my mantle with your head ghost," Valerie shouted. "Both of you." Skulker shot at Valerie in annoyance and Danny rushed forward to block the shot. As a reward, Valerie shot him in the back with a blast and he went tumbling to the ground.

Danny was lucky that Valerie was keeping Skulker occupied or was it that Skulker was keeping Valerie occupied? It didn't matter it was simply good fortune on Danny's part that neither party was able to follow after him immediately as he landed in the bushes and changed back to Fenton.

"Oh man," Danny said as he lay in the bushes. "There's only so much beating one guy can take." He changed back to his ghost form and streaked up into the air, he fired several blasts at Skulker. Skulker apparently decided he was outnumbered. He laughed at Danny.

"Next time," the hunter ghost said then flew away. Danny grumbled something under his breath then looked at Valerie.

"Okay," she said. "So he got away, but your not gunna ghost punk!" She fired a blast.

"Whoa!" Danny said as he ducked then flew a good distance away. "I'm sorry," he yelled. I don't have time to play." He flew a little further then went intangible then flew down into the bushes and changed back to Fenton. He watched as Valerie landed and transitioned out of her ghost hunting gear. She was looking around calling for Danny.

"I'm over here!" he called as he walked forward, looking around for any witnesses. Valerie rushed forward and threw her arms over Danny then kissed him, completely forgetting his cut lip.

"Did you see that?" she said excitedly. "Did you see I was able to chase both ghosts off."

Danny blinked at Valerie for a second then smiled. "I was hiding," he told her.

Valerie laughed. "I'm glad you have the good sense to make yourself scarce when ghosts appear."

Danny rubbed the back of his neck and laughed nervously. Valerie took his hand. She was now in an extremely good mood. "Let's go to the Nasty Burger," she said. "Have a celebratory milk shake."

"Okay," Danny said almost warily as Valerie pulled him from the park. Danny sighed heavily. He hated deceiving Valerie. He wondered if there would ever be circumstances where he could tell her about his ghost half without deadly consequences.

Valerie was chattering quickly about the fight she'd just participated and Danny half listened. He wished things were different for Valerie, that she wasn't so into ghost hunting. It seemed to be a big part of her identity now, and something she'd never give up without a fight. Danny would give it up though, without question. He frowned, but he realized he wouldn't give up his ghost half. At least there was something he accepted about his ghost half.

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When Danny arrived home, a package was waiting for him on his bed. He looked questioningly at the cardboard box then opened it quickly.

Danny smiled then laughed as he looked at the little red messenger he held in his hand. He had already admitted to himself how down he was at not being able to communicate with Sam on a regular basis, plus he really needed to talk to Tucker and straighten things out with his friend.

Danny fiddled with the device for a moment then typed to Sam, "I don't know how to thank you."

"You got it?" Sam asked.

"Well yeah," he typed as he smiled. He had a long conversation with Sam, the longest he'd had in a very long time. He was happy. It was tough being without his friends. It was great spending time with Valerie, but he missed Sam…and Tucker.

"I expect," Sam typed. "That you and Tucker will kiss and make up."

Danny laughed as he typed. "Well I'm not going to kiss him, but yeah I'll do my best to make amends if he'll let me." He could almost hear Sam laughing.

"Good. I need to go. Love you." Sam signed off.

Danny sighed and then thought for a moment then typed, "Tuck?"

He waited and waited and waited and finally received a reply of, "What."

"I'm sorry." Danny typed. He could almost see Tucker sigh.

"You should be," Tucker responded. "I was worried and scared and alone."

"I know I'm sorry," Danny said.

"Okay," Tucker wrote. "Not completely alone. I met a girl, but that didn't take all my attention and keep me from contacting you and Sam."

"I'm sorry," Danny wrote again. "What more do you want from me."

"Groveling," Tucker said. "Lots of groveling."

Danny smiled slightly. He knew Tuck had forgiven him and was joking. "I'll grovel next time I see you. Don't let me for get."

"Oh I won't," Tucker replied.

"So who's this mysterious girl you've been spending time with?" Danny wrote quickly.

"She loved tech just as much as I do," Tucker responded then went on and on about the girl he'd been spending time with. Then he asked. "How are things with Val."

"Really good," Danny replied. "When we don't end up at odds ghost fighting, of course she doesn't know that."

"If you really intend on getting serious with her," Tucker wrote. "You should consider telling her."

"I don't know if it's serious," Danny said. "Who wants serious?"

"Well considering that she tries to kill you half the time," Tucker responded. "I think it's pretty serious."

"I'm just taking things one day at a time," Danny said.

"Does Sam know yet?" Tucker asked.

"No," Danny replied.

"She's going to be back home, will you tell her then?" Tucker continued to question.

"Yeah," Danny answered. "I just hope she doesn't give me a huge lecture."

There was a long pause. "I think Sam wants to give you more than a lecture. You're in for a few surprises when she returns."

"What do you mean?" Danny asked.

"I can't tell you. I don't spill your secrets to Sam. I don't spill her secrets to you. You'll just have to wait and see, but I wish I could be there when everything goes down."

"You're scaring me," Danny typed.

"You should be scared," came Tucker's response. "And the last thing I'm going to say about all this is you better decide where you stand with Valerie and how serious you are about her."

"Why?" Danny asked.

"Nuh uh," Tucker answered. "I'm done talking about it. So…how's Jazz?"

Danny grumbled to himself. He wished Sam was back just so he'd know what was going on.

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Man I feel like this story is going no where. It is going somewhere. I guess it's just that I feel bad for making this a less Dannycentric story. I have a better feel for Danny's character now so I guess I'll just go with it.

If you're still reading. Review. Thanks.