This is probably my last update for awhile. See A/N below.

Chapter Eight

Danny found himself extremely impatient for Sam go get home. Everything seemed to be getting on his nerves. Between his parents, his sister, a recent surge in ghostly activity and Valerie, Danny felt as though he was going to snap.

To be honest, Sam was home. She had arrived the day before, but she told Danny she needed to rest from the long trip home and wasn't feeling up to company, so they arraigned to spend the next day together, at least for as long as Sam felt up to having company.

Danny's eagerness and nervousness about seeing Sam again had caused Danny's first fight with Valerie who seemed to be annoyed at Danny's focus on the return of his best friend. He was absent minded. She couldn't keep his attention focused. It was annoying. But, it was a kiss that caused things to explode between the two.

Valerie hadn't intended for the goodnight kiss they shared to be at all innocent, but Danny, whether his mind on Sam or other things simply, put Valerie away from him after a very chaste brush of the lips and told her he'd see her later the next day, which sparked the explosion.

"If you can manage to pry yourself away from Sam," Valerie said acidly. "And remember that you have a girlfriend."

Danny blinked at Valerie's angry tone. "I'll call you when I'm free," he told her he looked a little confused.

"Don't bother," Valerie said as she walked away. "You can talk to me the next day. First thing. I don't play second fiddle to nobody!"

"What are you talking about?" Danny asked in bewilderment as he followed her for a moment.

Valerie stopped and put her hand on her hip as she looked at Danny. "It's Sam and I this, and Sam and I that. I'm sick of it! Go be with Sam," she said in a hurt tone. "Just forget about me."

Danny raised his eyebrows and smiled slightly. "You're jealous," he accused.

Valerie gave him a scathing look. "I ain't jealous of no other girl," she said sharply. Danny continued to smile. She gave him an evil glare and he still smiled.

"It's just Sam," Danny told her reassuringly. "Sam is just…well Sam. If Sam were Tucker I bet you wouldn't be so jealous."

"I'm not jealous!" Valerie growled she crossed her arms over her chest and looked at Danny for a moment.

"Just do me a favor," She finally said, annoyed by the smile on his face and trying not to be moved to being nice like the look on his face begged her to do. "If you remember I even exist after tomorrow, give me a call and we'll talk about this."

"Talk about this?" Danny asked he was beginning to feel angry. "What's to talk about?"

"You and Sam!" Valerie sighed.

"What about Sam and me?" Danny half yelled. He was angry now. "She's my best friend Val. We've known each other forever!"

"And what am I?" Valerie asked.

"My girlfriend!" Danny answered gently trying to push the anger aside.

"Then shouldn't that make me your best friend?" Valerie asked. "Or at least put me up above Sam on the priority chart?"

Danny sighed to be fair Valerie had a point. He could understand her feelings, or at least he thought he could. "You're right," he said.

Valerie gave him a surprised look. "I am."

"Yeah," Danny said as he nodded his head. "Like you said, we'll talk about it more tomorrow okay?"

"If I see you tomorrow," Valerie sighed.

"We'll see each other," Danny told her as he put his arm around Valerie and hugged her tight. "I'll make it a priority."

"Okay," Valerie said and smiled.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Sam was sitting on her bed dressed, her hair combed, her face devoid of any make up. Danny was ushered into her room by Sam's mother who left the door open as she exited the room. Sam rolled her eyes then looked at Danny.

Danny smiled at Sam as he sat down on the foot of the bed. She looked pale and small and all of ten years old. It took a lot of Danny's will power not to bounce forward and hug and hug and hug her, but she looked so fragile with the dark circles under her lavender eyes that he was afraid.

Sam for her part sat looking at Danny with a smile as large as Danny's. The two friends said nothing at first. They just looked at each other, both feeling relieved to be back in each other's company.

"I've really missed you," Sam told Danny. Her eyes took on the luminous sheen of unshed tears which caused Danny's eyes to fill and made him sniffle.

"I've missed you too Sam," he said then reached over and took one of her hands. Sam was one of the toughest girls he knew, but as he looked down at her delicate hand in his own, it struck him at how small and fragile she was.

"You can hug me you know," Sam told him softly. "I'm not going to break. I'm really fine now." Danny looked at her for a moment then scooted forward. They met somewhere in the middle, both friend's wrapped their arms around each other then sighed as all the fear and tension just seemed to slide away.

Danny was afraid to hold her too tight. He'd carried her on many occasions and he could tell she'd lost a lot of weight, rendering her to mere skin and bones. He realized he was afraid to break her. They pulled away from each other.

"You look like you've grown," Sam remarked as she brushed some of the hair out of Danny's eyes.

"You look like you could stand to eat a few sandwiches," Danny told her.

"Well," Sam said as she shrugged her shoulders and leaned back on her bed. "I haven't had too much of an appetite lately."

The two friend's chatted for awhile mostly about the latest rash of ghosts haunting Amity Park.

"I feel like I brought them with me," Sam said sadly. "Didn't you tell me that ghost activity has been way down lately?"

"Yeah," Danny said then smiled teasingly. "It probably is all your fault. All the ghosts like you."

"Well I'm charming like that," Sam quipped.

Danny nodded his head. "I agree." He sighed deeply then stood and walked to the window. He couldn't put into words how good it felt to have Sam back. He felt much more at peace and relaxed now. His thoughts brought him back to his dream and he turned to look at Sam who was now laying back on her bed with her eyes closed.

"Hey," he whispered. "Are you asleep?"

"No," Sam told him as she yawned. "I just needed to close my eyes for a minute. I'm fine."

Danny pointed outside and said, "I can go and let you take a nap if you want. I mean I don't want to tire you out or anything."

"I don't want you to go," Sam said sleepily as her eyes fluttered shut and she tried to pry them back open. "I just got you here. I'd rather stay awake."

"Really I think I should go." Danny replied as he watched Sam's eyes close again. "I'll come back in a couple of hours. Just call when you wake up. You're my number one priority."

"No!" Sam said as she forced her eyes open. "Don't go." Danny hesitated on his way to the door. "Just come lay with me. Don't go." She scooted over and patted the bed.

Danny hesitated a moment but then did as Sam requested and lay down beside her. She cuddled up next to him. Danny wrapped his arm around her as she settled her head on his chest and let out a deep sigh of contentment.

"I know I'm being ridiculous," Sam said tiredly. "But the only faces you'd seen for the past several weeks were the faces of the nurses and your parents, you wouldn't want to let you go either."

Danny chuckled a little as he too closed his eyes and began to drift into sleep himself. He was in that hazy spot between waking and sleeping when Sam spoke, her voice was soft and sleepy. Her words shimmered in his mind as he drifted on the edge of a dream.

"I've been trying to come to terms with a lot of things," She said. "When you have a life threatening illness and then have time on your hands like I've had, you start thinking about the things which are important to you and learn to stop being so scared. You know?"

It was with great effort that Danny pulled himself away from the depths of sleep far enough to answer. "Sorry you had to go through that Sam."

"So I'm going to tell you something really important," Sam continued as she herself began to sink down into sleep.

"Mkay," Danny murmured.

Sam's voice was soft almost inaudible, "I'm in love with you. So incredibly in love with you. I have been for the longest time…" her words trailed off as sleep claimed her. Danny smiled, he was already asleep and didn't quite register the meaning of her sweet confession, but the words fluttered through his dreams like fireflies illuminating the dark corners of his mind.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Danny woke with a start as someone was knocking on the top of his head. His eyes popped open and he looked up at Sam's mother who was staring down at him sternly.

"I brought Sam her lunch," she said coolly. "Perhaps you can wake her and convince her to eat something." Sam's mother, with her hair perfectly coiffed wearing a pink sundress and pearl earrings pointed to the food tray.

"I brought enough for you as well," she continued then walked to the door. "I trust you will take care with my daughter. She is very fragile right now."

"I've always taken care with Sam," Danny told her as carefully moved away from Sam and sat up.

"Yes well," Mrs. Manson said as she speared Danny with a scathing look. "Just watch yourself with her." She turned on he heel and walked out of the room. Danny looked down at Sam who was wearing the most angelic smile as she slept.

"Hey," Danny said as he shook Sam's shoulder. "Wake up sleepy butt. Lunch time." He looked at the clock. He was hungry and wow they had slept for two hours. He checked his cell phone for missed calls then looked at Sam who was sitting up now, stretching and yawning.

"I'm sorry," She said. "I didn't mean to sleep for so long."

"Don't worry about it," Danny told her as he looked at the food Sam's mother had brought up. Tomato soup, salad and four peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and two sodas. Danny took the tray and placed it over Sam's legs. She gave him a funny look.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing," she said. "It's just funny having you take care of me that's all." She picked up a spoon and stirred the soup. She frowned slightly then put the spoon aside and sat back away from the tray.

"Aren't you going to eat?" Danny asked his own stomach growled loudly and Sam laughed.

"You eat it," She said. "I don't feel like it."

Danny gave her an exasperated look as he picked up a sandwich. Sam watched as he carefully tore off the crust then sat down next to her. Danny put the sandwich against her mouth.

"Eat." He ordered.

"I think the peanut butter sandwiches were meant for you," she pointed out as she turned her head away.

"But it's hard to feed you soup," Danny replied. "Now eat." He forced his eyes to glow green for a minute and Sam laughed.

"Ohh I'm scared," she said as she ripped the sandwich from Danny and took a big bite. She grimaced slightly as she chewed and swallowed then looked at Danny in defiance.

"All done," she said. "I ate. I'm not hungry." Danny narrowed his eyes then picked up the soup bowl and carefully put it up to her face.

"Now take a drink," he said.

"Peanut butter and tomato soup don't mix well" Sam insisted, but she did as she was told. Danny stood there while she drank all the soup. He decided he wasn't going to push her any further. She was beginning to look tired again. He sat down and began to eat the remaining sandwiches.

"You're a big bully," Sam accused.

"It could be worse," Danny laughed as he moved the tray away then sat cross legged on the bed and looked at Sam. She smiled at him and shook her head.

"I want to get out of this room," She growled. "I feel like I haven't actually been outside in ages, and you know how I normally avoid the sun." She looked at Danny like she wanted to ask something but was afraid.

"Maybe later," Danny said. "Or tomorrow, when you're feeling more rested, I'll take you flying." Sam smiled wistfully.

"But not now huh?" She asked then sighed heavily. "I'm actually feeling much more energetic now that I've eaten."

"I don't want to risk having something happen to you," Danny said.

Sam was about to say something else when Danny's cell phone rang. He looked at the caller i.d. and frowned. "Hi," he said then looked almost guiltily at Sam.

"Are you still at Sam's house?" Valerie asked.

"Yes," Danny answered softly.

"How much longer are you going to be?" She questioned in annoyance.

"I don't know," Danny responded in irritation. "Why does it matter?"

"It just does!" Valerie said then sighed. "Have you told her yet?"

"Told her?" Danny asked as he furrowed his eyebrows.

"That we're dating!" Valerie growled.

"No," Danny answered as he looked guiltily at Sam who sent him a questioning look.

"Tell her!" Valerie demanded.

"I will!" Danny growled. "I'll talk to you later."

"Don't hang up on me," Valerie started and Danny hung up the phone then turned it off.

"Who was that?" Sam asked as she moved from the bed and started to get up.

Danny looked at her in alarm and Sam laughed. "I can walk you know. It's not like I lost the ability or something."

"But were are you going?" Danny asked in alarm.

Sam gave him a thoughtful look then smiled. "To the bathroom. Do you want to come with me and hold my hand?"

Danny blushed fiercely. "No that's okay. Thanks." Sam laughed and Danny waited a few minutes before finally picking up a few of the books on the floor then straightening out Sam's bed, hoping to make it more comfortable for her.

"Deborah would be proud of you," Sam said from the bathroom door as she slowly walked back to the bed.

"I take that as a compliment," Danny said as he helped Sam get comfortable.

"Is there no way I can talk you into springing me out of this joint?" Sam asked hopefully.

Danny shook his head as he sat. "No way. Maybe tomorrow."

Sam grumbled a moment. "So you're coming back tomorrow?"

"And the next day and the next day and the next day," Danny told her.

"Wow sounds like you're going to haunt me," Sam laughed.

"You betcha," Danny said. "We've practically missed the whole summer. Lots of lost time to make up for."

Sam laughed and then her expression changed and she looked thoughtfully at Danny. "You didn't hear what I told you earlier did you?"

"Ummm," Danny thought for a moment. "What did you tell me and I'll tell you if I remember."

Sam looked sad for a minute then shook her head. "Maybe we can talk about it tomorrow."

Danny frowned. He was supposed to have a talk about something with Valerie tomorrow. It seemed to him that everything was always being put off until tomorrow. He was sick of it.

"Are you warm enough or do you need a sweater?" Danny asked suddenly.

Sam gave him a funny look. "It's almost a hundred degrees outside. No I'm not cold."

"You're sure?" Danny asked. "Because I don't to have to turn around and come back because you're cold."

Sam's eyes lit up. "You're taking me flying?" she asked excitedly.

"Going ghosts!" Danny said which caused Sam to laugh as it was a phrase he used very rarely anymore.

Danny walked over to Sam's and offered her his hand. She pretended like she was going to hesitate for a moment then jumped up and threw her arms around him.

"Let's get out of here," she said.

"Your wish is my command," Danny replied, which caused Sam to laugh and say something about Desiree which in turn caused Danny to shiver in disgust.

"Let's stop putting things off until tomorrow okay?" Danny said as he looked into Sam's eyes. She smiled and nodded her head. Danny sighed then phased them out of the room through the window and flew as fast as he felt safe flying with Sam in his arms.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Sorry if this chapter is kinda blah. I am in a terribly bad mood. Terribly, ferocious bad mood. Terribly, ferocious, hideous bad mood. I'm actually questioning why I am writing anything at all. Period. I thought maybe I needed sleep, but I've slept and I simply feel worse.

Unless I hit a creativity bug, it's going to be a long long long long long time before I update again. Of course, reviews are something which help propel me along with these stories I'm writing, so put me out of my misery and review. I do understand that it's not always easy finding something to say. Ah bah who reads A/N anyway. They're boring huh?

Ok, I'm trapped in my deep pit of despair now, and this time it just feels like I'll never manage to crawl back out.