Oh boy you wouldn't believe the song which formed the sound track for this chapter. You'd probably think I was crazy, then again, I am crazy! You all knew that. So I should probably tell you the song so you can listen to it while you read, but…um…well if you ask when you review I'll tell you.

Second. You might hate this chapter. It's going to confuse you terribly and possibly make you mad. I don't know…

Chapter Sixteen

The first day of school was rough for Danny. Not for the reasons people expected. Yes memories of Sam attacked him around every corner. Standing at her locker brought tears to his eyes. But the hard part was the whispers.

Everyone left him alone for the most part, but they could hear them talking. "Poor Danny. He looks so crushed.", "Can you believe she died!" "Who knew being a Goth could give you a brain tumor". After that, things calmed down, but Danny still had a hard time just staying in class.

Sam was right. Tucker was a rock, how he managed to get through the first days without crumpling into a so-called ball of angst, Danny would never know. For his part, he laid in the nurses office on the first day of school, unable to stand the anguish. He had just decided he was in control of himself and was going to join his last class of the day, Lancer's English when Valerie met him in the hall.

"Hey," she said as she smiled kindly. "How are you holding up."

Danny looked at her blankly for a minute. "I'm fine," he finally answered. He felt like he barely knew her. He knew he should feel more comfortable around Valerie, but she simply felt like a stranger.

"Do you want me to walk to class with you?" she asked then bit her lip worriedly.

"You can if you want," Danny said. Valerie gave him a small smile then fell in step beside him.

"I've been taking care of all the ghosts for you," she said softly. "But I'm really having a hard time. Maybe you could…"

"No," Danny said coldly. "That part of my life is over. You want to be a ghost hunter? You want the complications? Fine you take the job. I don't want it." He took a deep breath.

"Sheesh you don't need to jump down my throat about it," Valerie said in shock. "I mean I still owe you a butt kicking for keeping your secret for so long. You're just lucky I was as shocked as I was at the time and then….well…"

"Yeah whatever," Danny said as he stopped in front of the class room. "Are we done or do you want to stand there and yapp at me a little more?"

Valerie gave him a look of annoyance. "You know," she said. "I'm just trying to be your friend. I'm trying to be supportive. I'm trying…."

"Well you can stop trying," Danny said angrily. "If you have to try so hard then just stop! I don't need your crap Valerie. I don't need this."

Valerie's expression cooled and she put her hands on her hips. "What do you need?" she asked. "I mean it might help if you told people what that is so they could at least help you."

Danny looked down sadly and shook his head. "I need Sam," he said softly then closed his eyes and whispered, "I just need Sam."

Valerie nodded her head and sniffled a little. "I know you do Danny," she told him hoarsely. "I wish I could help you…I…" She stopped and looked at Mr. Lancer who was giving her a disapproving look through the door. He then looked at Danny and nodded his head at Valerie.

"I can't bring her back," Valerie said. "But I can be your friend."

Danny shook his head. "I couldn't bring her back either. I messed up."

"Come on let's just go talk okay." Valerie took his hand and lead him down the hall.

They ended up sitting in the cafeteria. Danny looked around sadly then laughed bitterly as he walked to the table he'd always shared with Sam and Tucker. He sat down then put his head in his hands.

"I know you feel responsible for what happened," Valerie said as she sat across from Danny. "But you're not." Danny only nodded his head. He'd heard this all before.

"You need to move on with your life. With people here. I mean you have friends, and people love you and…" Valerie stopped as she realized simply talking to Danny was an act of futility. She took a deep breath and steeled herself for what she was about to do.

"You're acting like a spoiled brat!" Valerie hissed. "Everyone in this school is walking around you like you're going to break at any minute. Mr. Lancer lets you out of class to wander around the school. Everyone thinks your on the edge of insanity. But the truth is you're just a coward."

"Whatever," Danny said as he traced a pattern on the table.

"You're afraid that if you let go of Sam, that she'll be gone. You're afraid you can't be the same person without her." Valerie accused.

"I did let her go," Danny said blankly. "She is gone."

"She's here," Valerie said as she reached forward and touched Danny's chest. "Isn't she?"

"No," Danny said as he stood and walked away from Valerie. "Because that part of me is gone too."

Valerie rolled her eyes as she followed Danny. "I can't believe you're so stupid. So stupid as to like completely give up because of one stupid girl."

"Sam's not stupid," Danny growled. "And I haven't given up!"

"It looks like you have!" Valerie replied. "I mean look at you! You look like a ghost, pardon the pun!"

Danny laughed bitterly. "I am a ghost Val," he said menacingly.

"So meet me and Tucker tonight," Valerie said. "There have been a few ghosts out that I've not been able to catch and…"

Danny looked at Valerie in shock. "Tucker's been ghost hunting with you?"

"Yeah," Valerie said. "I needed help. Since Danny Phantom wasn't around." She paused. "I never understood all the good you did until you stopped doing it. I'm sorry Danny."

Danny only shook his head. "What time?"

Valerie looked at the clock. "It's one thirty."

Danny sighed heavily. "No," he whispered. "What time do you want me to meet you?"

Valerie smiled. "How about seven thirty?" she asked.

"Fine," Danny said. "I'll see you then." Valerie moved forward to hug him, but he stepped away. She shrugged her shoulders then made her way to class.

Danny kept his date with Valerie. She never spent lunch time with he and Tucker, but when it came to fighting ghosts, they were a trio. Danny hated it.

XxXxXxXxX

It all felt too familiar. Danny laid on his bed staring up at the ceiling. Jazz poking her head into his room. His two friends walking in and trying to pull him from the bed. Except one wasn't the right friend.

Some it seemed that Desiree the decision for him. It was certainly taken out of his hands. But the stupid decision he had needed to make, Valerie or Sam, felt so far away, so petty considering with what he was dealing with now. He looked at the two worried faces standing at the end on his bed and sighed. He knew why they were there. He'd gotten into a fight with Dash.

"Dude," Tucker said in amazement. "You like totally wasted Dash! Did you use your ghost powers on him or was that like…all you?" Danny didn't answer.

Valerie stood with her hands on her hips looking angry. "I can understand sticking up for yourself Danny," Valerie said not so gently. "But I think you took things way overboard. They say that Dash has a broken nose and a pretty severe concussion."

Danny rubbed his face with his hand. "I don't know what came over me. I just…." A whisp of blue erupted from his mouth and he froze he looked at Tucker and Valerie.

"Okay," Valerie said. "We've got a ghost. Try not to be so um…violent this time huh?"

Danny laughed nervously at Valerie then transformed to ghost mode. Little did the three of them know, they were in for something a little more than ghost fighting.

They were completely bombarded by ghosts. Several grabbed Danny and flung him against the wall. Karmic pay back, Danny decided, because of what he did to Dash and how violent he'd been with the invading ghosts lately. Sam's possible amusement at the situation, and how desperately he wished he could have another chance to change things, was his last thought before he lost consciousness.

XxXxXxXxX

Someone was shaking the bed. "Hey dork! Wake up!"

"Go away Jazz," Danny said as he covered his head with the pillow. Wait. Pillow? He was home? He took the pillow off his head and nearly screamed as he was confronted with a pair of bright lavender eyes.

"There you are sleepy head," Sam said as she grabbed the pillow. "You were supposed to be over at my house hours ago!"

"Sam?" Danny asked in shock.

"Wow," Sam laughed. "Have I changed so much that you don't recognize me?"

"What are you doing here?" Danny asked as he crawled out of bed, oblivious to the fact that he was in his pajamas. Sam surveyed him and smirked.

"Well I just got home yesterday," she said slowly as he walked around her. "And you were supposed to come see me, but it's like three in the afternoon. So…"

Danny blinked at Sam for a moment then turned and looked at the calendar on the wall like it had the answer to all his questions. "What's the date?" He asked.

"Uh," Sam said as she watched Danny warily. "Did you hit your head last night or something?"

Danny shook his head then turned his gaze back to Sam. "I think I had a really bad dream," he said as he sat down on his bed and rubbed the back of his neck worriedly.

"About what?" Sam asked in concern.

Danny shook his head and looked at the Goth girl. "Will you answer me something honestly?" he asked.

"Sure," Sam said. "But you're kinda freaking me out. I mean I was expecting like maybe a hug or something but I get this weirdness from you."

Danny smiled slightly. Then took a deep breath. "Did you write me a note for in case you didn't come back?"

Sam gave him a weird look. "Do you think I'm stupid?" She asked. "Of course I didn't write you a note in case I didn't come back. I knew I was coming back."

Danny's smile grew a little larger. "Can you pinch me and make sure I'm not dreaming?"

"I can punch you to make sure you're not dreaming," Sam teased. Danny took a deep happy breath then moved forward and hugged Sam. She was real, but really, was this real? Everything felt so real before. What happened?

"Is this real?" Danny asked and he held Sam close. "I mean. Really real?"

"Well," Sam said worriedly as she returned the hug. "I think so. Why?"

Danny took a deep breath as he let Sam go. "I just had a really, really bad nightmare…I think."

"You think?" Sam asked as she sat down on the chest beside Danny's bed.

Danny shook his head. "I don't think it matters," He told her. "But at least I don't have to make the same mistakes."

"Well I'm glad you figured all that out," Sam said dryly yet a little warily. "But can you start cluing me in a little Danny? Cause really you're starting to scare me now."

"I had a nightmare," Danny answered again as he stood and started rooting around for clothes. He turned and looked at Sam. "At least I think it was a nightmare. I'm gonna go get dressed. Do not move. I'll be right back." He ran out of the room leaving Sam watching him with a weird look on her face.

Danny ran back into his room then grabbed Sam and swung her around.

"Whoa!" she said as she laughed. "Don't make me dizzy. I might puke on you."

"Sorry," Danny laughed then put her down.

"I dreamed that you died," Danny finally said. "And it was all my fault." He filled Sam in on almost everything, and she was very understanding.

"Sounds like a pretty creepy dream," She said as she watched Danny. "But I'm here and alive and almost one hundred percent healthy."

"I've been dating Valerie," Danny said quickly. "I have to tell you before I make the same mistake again."

Sam looked at Danny and sighed. "I know," she said. "Tuck told me."

Danny blinked at Sam in confusion. "What do you mean, Tuck told you?"

"He told me a couple of days ago," Sam admitted as she watched Danny's face. "He didn't want me to be complete be caught off guard."

Danny laughed a little then took another breath, still trying to take in his current situation. Not that he wasn't happy. He was beyond happy. Sam was still giving him a strange look.

"So," she said. "Can we go back to my house, because if my mom figures out that I snuck from the house, she's going to freak."

"Yeah," Danny said. "Do you mind flying there? I mean…" Sam smiled happily and jumped up eagerly.

"I was hoping you would offer," She said. "That's one of the things I happened to have dreamed about the most . Danny went ghost then offered his hand to Sam who took it eagerly.

XxXxXxXxX

"This is so wonderful," Sam said as she stretched out her arms as if she were flying solo. They were flying so that he was above her with his arms wrapped around her waist, it wasn't their typical flying position, but Danny said it was to best feel the effects of flying. He sped up a little bit as he begun to feel a little more comfortable.

They landed in Sam's room. She immediately sat down on her bed and Danny noticed she looked a little pale, well more pale than usual. He sat down too and just looked at her. He wanted to hold her and not let go for a long time, except now he was afraid to touch her.

Sam raised her eyebrows. "You seem really uncomfortable. Why don't you tell me the rest of your dream hmm? The parts you left out?"

Danny snorted then stood and walked around the room. He told her about the kiss and the fight and the decision and the wish. He figured he had nothing to lose. He already felt he'd been through the worse possible loss he could imagine, so talking about his dream and his feelings with Sam felt like nothing.

"I really like Val," Danny said after he filled in the blanks. "She's fun to be with, but she's not you…I love you. I just was so stupid before." He paused not knowing what else to say. He wanted more than anything to just be with Sam, but even so it was scary taking that step.

Sam smiled at him serenely then took his hand and made him sit beside her. She looked at her hand in his, turning his palm so she could place hers against his. She looked for a minute then looked up into his eyes.

"You and I," she started. "Have been friends for a really long time. We will continue to be friends no matter what happens. Agreed?"

"Yeah," Danny said as he met her gaze.

"I think you need to fully commit yourself to your relationship with Valerie," Sam said quickly. Danny opened his mouth in shock. Sam closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Why?" he asked almost shakily. "All you have to do is say so and I'll be yours Sam," he said as a blush began burning his cheeks.

Sam shook her head as she opened her eyes and again looked into his. "You will always be mine," she told him softly. "I will always be yours. We just don't have to belong to each other like that. You know?"

Danny shook his head in confusion and Sam began tracing her palm with his fingers. "I care about you," she told him. "So much, that I'm willing to let you go. I think you need to explore your relationship with Valerie. If it works out, then I'm happy for you. If it doesn't then I'm here for you. We both need time to grow up Danny. I-I don't think I'm ready for what a relationship with you would be like."

"I don't understand," Danny said. He did understand it's just….maybe he needed more. He didn't think he could bear to just watch Sam walk away with another boy. The very thought gave him heartburn. "Is there someone else?"

"No," Sam laughed. "But maybe there should be." She looked at Danny seriously. Danny stood and walked to the window. He felt sick to his stomach and very disoriented. He put his forehead against the glass.

"Can we talk about something else?" Danny asked softly. "We'll talk about this stuff some other time." He was feeling shaky and strange all of this was too much to take. He looked at Sam and again, wanted nothing more than to hold her.

"Sure," Sam said as she walked over to Danny. "Has Tuck told you much about his girlfriend?" she asked. Danny shook his head then smiled as Sam put her arm around him. He turned her then pulled her into his embrace and hugged her tight, letting out a mighty sigh as he closed his eyes and buried his face in her hair. She hugged him back.

"It's going to be all right Danny," Sam told him. "I promise."

"How can you make those kinds of promises Sam?" Danny asked.

Sam laughed. "You'd be surprised," was her only answer.

XxXxXxXxX

I bet your saying to me….WHAT THE HECK?

Lastly, I don't know why anyone would think it, but this is not the end. No no, much more to go. Though it will be awhile before the next update.

Yeah. Well. Um. I'm crazy. I told you. I'm really insane. This idea might even be a little half baked...but well I like twisting plots, what can I say? That and I'm on some new medication and it's really freaking out my head. Being sick sucks.

Rant? Hit the review button.