Thank you Nom de Plume, for doing such an excellent job as a beta-reader.

Chapter Eight

Sam was unsure what to do when she woke up Friday morning. She stood in her closet and looked at the clothes her mother had bought her, which she'd never worn. Pretty pink and pastel dresses. Flowered skirts and twin sets. She sorted through everything until she found a plain white shirt. It was a little too frilly for her tastes, with its eyelet material and scalloped collar. She put it on then dug out a pair of khaki pants and some white shoes.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she felt like a different person. She sat down to do her make up instead of purple she used pink then pulled all her hair up and curled her bangs. She looked terribly preppy and normal when all was said and done. Luckily, she managed to sneak out of the house before her mother saw her.

She couldn't meet either Tucker or Danny's eyes as she met them on the walk to school. They looked at her in shock and her stomach began aching.

"Where's Sam and what have you done with her?" Tucker asked as he looked Sam up and down.

"Get a good look, Tucker," Sam said coolly. "This is the last time you're going to see me dressed like this."

Danny said nothing. He couldn't even look at Sam. It hurt that she would completely put aside her Goth image, even for a second, for Dash. When he finally looked at her, she took his breath away. This was definitely a different Sam; A-list material. Paulina and Star could relax.

"What happened?" Danny asked, sounding angrier than he wanted to. "You said you wouldn't change, Sam."

She couldn't meet Danny's eyes. "It's just once," she defended. "I'm just doing him a favor."

Sam ignored the people who stopped and stared at her once they reached the school. She ignored the whispers. Danny stopped at her locker and looked at her.

"Have we lost you, Sam?" he asked worriedly as he speared her with his sky-blue eyes. Sam shivered and felt tears prickling at her eyelids.

"I said you wouldn't," Sam said. "Have some faith in me."

"It's a little hard to believe," Danny started. "Especially when I see you betraying yourself."

"Stop giving me such a hard time, Danny," she said angrily. "You don't understand."

"I don't want to," Danny replied. "I just want my Sam back."

Sam looked down. "I've never been yours," she said then looked up to see Dash approaching. He looked angrily at Danny for a moment.

"Good morning, my Sweetness," he said to Sam as he moved around Danny and took Sam into the circle of his arms. He kissed her cheek then stepped back and looked at her.

"Wow," he said. "You look incredible."

Sam smiled shakily. "Thank you," she said then cast a quick look at Danny who was stepping away with a look on his face like he'd been struck. Dash himself had been calculating and scheming over the next time they were all together. He touched Sam's face and she looked up at him and half smiled. She didn't have time to react as Dash claimed her lips with her own, she gasped in shock which only served to open her mouth to the ravaging kiss Dash intended Danny to witness. People in the hall hooted and hollered as they walked by. Some stopped to stare.

"Don't do that!" Sam said angrily as she pushed Dash away. "I don't know what you think gives you the right to manhandle me, Dash, but I don't like it. Don't ever do that again."

"I'm sorry," he said penitently as he looked down and to the side, feeling pleased to see Danny was gone. "You just look so good I couldn't help myself." Sam looked to where Danny had been standing. She told herself that at least she could talk to him in class. She sighed at Dash.

"Really," he said as he looked at her. "You look amazing. You take my breath away." Sam gave him a warning look then turned and finished getting what she needed from her locker. Dash smiled as she turned around and looked down the hall one last time; Danny was still nowhere to be seen. He narrowed his gaze at several of the boys who were staring at Sam. He put his hand on her shoulder and sent them all a message, if it hadn't been read clearly earlier. Sam was Dash's girl.


Danny walked away from Dash and Sam as they stood in the hall and engaging in a very embarrassing embrace. He felt hot and cold all at once, and sick, like he was going to be physically ill. He made his way to the bathroom, and a few of the A-list hangers-on mocked him.

"Lost your girlfriend to Dash, eh, Fenton?" they called.

"Where's your girlfriend, loser?"

"The Goth girl needed a man instead of a boy, huh, Fenton?"

Danny wanted to yell for them to shut up, but he kept his head down and his mouth shut. All he could see was the image of Dash and Sam kissing like that, for the whole school to see. It made him feel even worse was that Dash, with one act, had openly, and without a doubt, claimed Sam as his—in front of half the school.

He braced himself over a sink and took several deep breaths, trying to calm his stomach, and the scene played over and over again in his mind. He looked up in the mirror and was confronted with green eyes.

Danny checked the bathroom; it was completely empty, so he went ghost. He phased up and out and flew away from the school. He couldn't face her, not today, not while she looked like that, like Dash's girl. It made him sick. Danny wondered if there was any way back for Sam, or if the quirky Goth girl he loved was gone forever. He flew as fast as could; where to, he didn't know—he just knew he had to get away.

Even though he knew it wasn't her fault, he couldn't help but feel angry at her. Would she do that for him? Would she abandon her Goth exterior if he asked? He knew he never would, regardless of the situation; he loved her just as she was.

He wasn't sure how, but he ended up at home. He walked through the door in his human form and called for his mother. Maddie Fenton came out of the kitchen with a look of concern on her face.

"Danny," she said in surprise. "What are you doing home?"

Danny sighed. "I don't feel so well, Mom." She walked toward him and put her cool hand on her son's forehead.

"You don't feel feverish Danny," she said, then looked into Danny's sad eyes.

"I'm tired," he told her. Maddie ushered her son upstairs and tucked him into bed. When she was sure he was comfortable she left, promising to check on him later. Danny cuddled under the blankets then closed his eyes and tried to go to sleep, but that stupid kiss kept playing over and over again in his mind.


Sam made it through to lunch without too many comments being made about her appearance. Mostly people whispered and stared. People who avoided her like the plague tried to talk to her, but she cut them dead. She didn't care what anyone thought, but she felt uncomfortable. She felt as though she was wearing someone else's skin.

She also wondered how angry Danny was with her. He hadn't shown up for first period, and then when lunch rolled around, only Tucker was waiting at his locker.

"Where's Danny?" she asked.

"I don't know," Tucker answered. "I think he went home or something. I haven't seen him since this morning. Sam frowned, then sighed. She was supposed to meet Dash in the cafeteria, but now she was worried about Danny.

"I heard about the kiss," Tucker said half teasingly. "The whole school is talking about it."

"It wasn't a big deal. Just a kiss," Sam said blankly. Is that why Danny left? Because of the kiss Dash gave her? She knew he didn't approve of the relationship. Maybe he was disgusted by her. She felt horrible.

Tucker looked at Sam a minute then shook his head. "So what did Dash bribe you with to get you to dress like this?" he asked. "I'd tell you that you look ridiculous, but really you look great."

"I'm going to meet his father this afternoon," Sam told Tucker. "I feel like I owe it to him to at least make a good impression."

"Why?" Tucker asked. "'Cause you're dating now, or what?" Sam looked at Tucker in consternation. She debated on how much to tell him. He would tease her forever, she knew, but he was also the only one she could confide in—the only one who knew her horrible secret. So, she told him about making out with Dash.

"So you kissed Dash," Tucker said as he held back the urge to tease. "Big deal."

"And then he called me Sammy," Sam said as she looked down to hide her embarrassed face. "And I…"

"You what?" Tucker asked in bewilderment.

"I said, 'Oh Danny'," Sam mumbled softly.

"What?" Tucker half shrieked. "No way!" He started laughing. Sam just watched him stoically until he calmed down.

"I'm sorry," Tucker apologized. "It's not really that funny, but…"

"Anyway," Sam said as she gave Tucker a doubtful look to make sure he was done laughing. "He looked so hurt, and he was so understanding about it."

"Dash? Dash was understanding about it? What did you tell him?" Tucker asked.

"Nothing," Sam answered. "I told him he needed to go home. So he went. He called me a little later and told me his father wants to meet me and asked if I could dress not so Goth, so his father wouldn't freak."

Tucker shook his head. He looked at Sam for a minute then asked. "Why are you doing this? You love Danny, right?" Tucker thought the answer was obvious, but he had to ask.

"I really like Dash," Sam said quickly. "That's why I'm doing this. Yes, I love Danny. I always will. I just can't take this whole crush thing anymore. Dash likes me. I like Dash. It's simple." She paused and considered what she had just said, then sighed.

Tucker smiled. "I think you and Danny need to talk. If you guys can't get things straight between you, I'll have to knock your heads together."

Sam looked at her watch and sighed. "I need to go meet Dash. Can I call you tonight?"

"You can always call me," Tucker told his friend. "I'd never abandon you."

Sam winced. "That's a low blow, Tuck," she said, then walked away.


Paulina and Star sat with their heads together as Dash walked into the cafeteria. He looked around for Sam then walked toward the A-list table.

"Dude," Kwan said. "Who are you?"

"Ha ha, very funny," Dash answered. He looked at Paulina and Star. Both girls smiled at him.

"So, did you finally dump her?" Star asked sourly.

"Did you realize that she's just not A-list material?" Paulina questioned. "Though she does look rather nice today. Is it because you broke her heart?"

Dash glared at Paulina and Star for a moment. "No," he said. "We haven't broken up. We're not going to. She's going to meet my father after school." Paulina and Star both opened their mouths in shock.

"The rumor going around the school is that you've brainwashed her," Star said with a snide laugh.

"Or that you have some kind of dirt on her," Paulina added.

Dash wasn't amused and the dangerous look on his face made them pause. "Maybe I happen to like her," he said through gritted teeth. "Maybe she really likes me back. Have you guys stopped to consider that?"

"Well we know that," Star said quickly. "We're just telling you what everyone is saying."

Dash looked around the cafeteria. He was in a bad mood. All he could imagine was Sam off with Fenton somewhere. It was killing him. He nearly jumped from the table when Sam appeared in the door of the cafeteria.

"And there he goes," Paulina said as she leaned on one hand. "If I wasn't like saving myself for the Ghost Boy, I think my feelings would be hurt."

"So how are we going to break them up?" Star asked as she watched Sam and Dash sitting at a separate table.

"We'll have to hope that Fenton can come up with something," Paulina said on a sigh. Kwan shook his head as he stuffed a French fry in his mouth and listened to the girls plot.


"What took you so long?" Dash complained as he finally reached Sam. He took her hand and led her to an empty table. He was aware that nearly everyone in the cafeteria was watching them, and it pleased him.

"I was talking to Tuck," Sam told him. "And I'm not feeling well." Dash watched her worriedly.

"I think," Sam said. "I'm going to go home. Can I meet your father some other time? Maybe tomorrow?"

"He's expecting you," Dash told Sam as a sense of disappointment and fear crept its way through her heart.

"Dash," Sam said as she put her head on the table. "I might puke all over him. I don't think that would make a very good impression, do you? I'm sick he'll just have to understand."

Dash began rubbing Sam's back in comforting circles. She moved so she could lean against him. It was hard to tell who was comforted the most, Dash or Sam. Dash wanted nothing more than to make her feel better.

"Want me to walk you to the nurse's office?" Dash asked gently. He'd even carry her if she asked.

"Sure," Sam said as she smiled weakly. Dash stood and picked up her backpack, he slung it over his shoulder then offered his hand to Sam. She seemed to hesitate a moment which sent an ache of worry though Dash. Finally, she took his hand and stood. Dash pulled her close and hugged her briefly, aware again that they were being watched by curious eyes. He smiled and led Sam from the cafeteria.


Danny sat up suddenly in a cold sweat and looked around the empty room. He was having a nightmare about Dash and Sam. They were married with two kids. Danny was a millionaire living in Wisconsin, plotting to kill Dash. He took a deep breath, then nearly jumped as his cell phone rang.

"Hello?" he said quickly without checking to see who was calling.

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

Danny shivered as he clutched the phone. "I'm okay. Why are you calling?"

"I went home sick," Sam said. "I guess I just couldn't deal with the pressure." She laughed. "Maybe we have the same bug."

"Maybe," Danny said, but knew it wasn't likely.

"Can you come over?" Sam asked. Danny's heart flip flopped in his chest

"Yeah," Danny answered. "Just give me a few minutes, okay?"

"I'll be waiting" Sam said. It sounded like she'd been crying.


Danny's heart was in his throat as he changed to ghost form. He flew as quickly as he could to Sam's house. She was sitting on her bed when he arrived. She had obviously changed, she looked, like the Sam he knew again. Danny sighed in relief.

"Hey," he said as he looked around the room. He stayed in ghost form; he needed the boost in confidence it gave him.

"I couldn't do it," Sam said sadly. "I was so uncomfortable. It wasn't me. I felt like I was suffocating."

"Are you talking about the way you were dressed, or Dash?" Danny asked.

Sam sighed heavily. "The way I was dressed," Sam answered. She thought for a minute. "He is a little clingy," she admitted. "I'm not sure why."

"Maybe because he's a complete psychopath," Danny joked. Sam gave him an annoyed look and he shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't want you and Tucker to think I am abandoning you. I don't want you to think I am betraying myself," Sam started. "You and Tuck are important to me."

"You're important to us too," Danny said. "But, to be honest, Sam, it's only been a week. Everything is new for you and Dash." He swallowed hard. "I'm sorry I was so hard on you."

"I'm glad you were," Sam replied. "I feel like things are just beyond my control. One minute I hated Dash and now I…"

"Love him?" Danny asked hesitantly.

"Gosh no!" Sam said in alarm. "No, but I like him. I feel as if I shouldn't like him so much because I know what a wretched jerk he can be. I've witnessed as he's harassed you and Tuck and so many other people. He's a snob. But, he's not as shallow as he seems. It's hard to reconcile the Dash I knew a week ago and the Dash I know now."

"So, you feel guilty," Danny stated.

"Among other things," Sam half laughed. She looked at Danny for a moment. She hated herself for loving him so much. She wished she could just stop. It would make her life so much easier.

"So what is it about Dash you like so much?" Danny asked, knowing that he was just torturing himself, but part of him had to know.

Sam smiled and shrugged. "He's really romantic," she answered. "He's sweet and patient. To be honest he doesn't say a lot."

"That's because he has no brain, Sam," Danny joked.

"That's not nice," Sam said seriously. "He's not that dumb, really."

"If you say so," Danny laughed. Then watched as Sam blushed.

"He's a really good at…you know…kissing," she told Danny. He felt like dying there on the spot. That's the last thing he wanted to hear. He hadn't quite got the image out of his head from this morning, and now it came flooding back and so did the sick feeling.

"Ha," he said almost weakly. "That's why he doesn't talk much. You're too busy making kissy faces with him, aren't you?"

"No," Sam laughed. "Only three times. Really." She smiled happily at Danny.

"For now," Danny said. "He seems pretty aggressive."

"Yeah," Sam agreed then sighed.

"Just promise me you'll be careful, Sam," Danny said. "Don't let him push you into something you don't want." He paused uncomfortably.

"You don't have to worry about that," Sam replied, obviously feeling equally uncomfortable. Danny wanted to disagree; he was definitely worried about that.

"I should probably go home," Danny said regretfully. "My mom will freak out if she checks on me and I've disappeared without a trace."

"Thanks for coming over and talking with me," Sam started. "I've missed you."

Danny smiled. "I've missed you, too, Sammy." He almost moved away as she moved forward and hugged him.

"Promise me something," Sam said as she put her head on his shoulder.

"What?" Danny asked as he gave in and let his arms take the place they longed to be: around her.

"No matter what happens. No matter who comes into our lives. Promise me we'll always be best friends," Sam said. "You are so important to me, Danny. I love you so much." She sighed. It felt so good to say it, even if it was in the wrong context.

"I love you too, Sam," Danny replied as he held her tighter. Part of him wanted to take her and run away with her and never let her go. "And I promise. We'll always be friends. No matter what happens. I'll always be here for you."

"Thank you," Sam said then pulled away and looked into his eyes. Danny told himself he should just kiss her. She was so close. He could kiss her. Ask her to forget Dash and be his, but even being in his ghost form didn't lend him enough courage to take that risk. He simply let her go, stood, told her good bye, and left.

Sam laid back down on her bed and decided that maybe she needed to back away from Dash. Maybe things were getting too serious. Maybe she loved Danny too much to be in a relationship with anyone.


Errol didn't realize how fortunate he was as he escaped from the Ghost Zone. Of course he was expecting Danny to be in school. It was lucky for the ghost that Sam had called and Danny had flown.

He flew as fast as he possibly could; his intent was to find Dash quickly. He was looking forward to finding out how things had developed between the jock and Sam since he was gone. He hoped the boy hadn't messed everything up. He was confident that no matter what Dash had done, that it could be set right.

The ghost was surprised at the developments between Sam and Dash since he'd been gone. Dash was doing remarkably well. Maybe the boy wasn't as stupid as he had first thought; he just lacked practice at actually thinking.

Errol was equally pleased at Dash's growing hatred toward Danny, but was disturbed at the reason why. The ghost knew that he would have to spend a lot of time with Sam in order to turn her fully away from the ghost boy.

"You've done a remarkable job,"Errol said to Dash. "I'm very proud of you."

Dash froze and looked around. He smiled slightly; it was a relief to know the voice was back, now he could be assured that everything would be fine, right down to telling his father why Sam couldn't meet with him today.

"Where have you been?" Dash said under his breath.

"Away," Errol answered. "But I'm back."

Don't go away like that again, Dash thought angrily. That was totally uncool.

"Not listening to me was uncool," Errol growled. "Next time, pay heed to my advice." He felt Dash resisting.

I've been doing really good without you, man, Dash said in his mind. You gotta give me some credit.

"You've been lucky," Errol said. "It's obvious to me that she's beginning to have some doubts. You'll need to call her as soon as you can. Make arrangements to see her."

I was going to, Dash thought smugly.

"Well," Errol growled dangerously. "If you don't need me…"

No, Dash thought in alarm. Don't go. I'm just saying that I'm not going to mess things up so bad without you.

"I'm not going to give you that opportunity," Errol told the jock.


Sam was reading a book when Dash called to check on her. She looked at the time and noticed school had been out for half an hour. Dash asked if it was okay if he came by and checked on her. He had gone to several of her classes and begged the teachers to give him her homework (it was Errol's idea).

"I got your homework for you," Dash told Sam.

"You did?" Sam asked, feeling a little surprised. She really didn't think Dash was a person who was overly concerned with grades.

"Yeah," Dash said. "It's just in case I needed an excuse to see you. I already called my father. He hopes you're feeling better soon, and hopes to meet you tomorrow."

Sam sighed. She didn't think she'd ever meet Dash's father. She fully intended on putting a break on things between them when he arrived.

"So, I'm going to go," Dash said. "I'll see you in a few minutes."

"Okay," Sam said nervously. She wondered what he would say when he found she reverted back to her normal Goth style; she hoped it would make the break easier. She finished her call with him then walked downstairs.

Sam paced around the living room a moment, then opened the door with the intention of meeting him half way. She wanted to get things over with quickly, before she felt any worse than she already did.

She began to feel confused as she caught sight of him and a happy warmth flooded through her. She wondered why she ran so hot and cold about Dash. One minute she wanted to get away from him; the next, she couldn't wait to see him.

"Hey," he called spotted her walking toward him. Sam ran the last few feet. She stopped and looked up at him.

"Sorry. I couldn't wait," she said sheepishly. Dash smiled warmly at her as he took her hand. A very strange sensation passed through Sam as they touched. Her doubts suddenly seemed so silly and insignificant. Her reasoning felt flawed.

Errol was happy to see Sam, even if it was only through Dash's eyes. He could read her expression well; she was unhappy. He hated to see her like that. He concentrated his power and let it surge from Dash's hand into Sam's. For a brief moment he shared both of their minds, linking the two together, then drew away back into Dash's mind.

Sam squeezed Dash's hand as they walked. She thought it was ridiculous; a few minutes ago she was ready to end things between them, and now she felt so happy and loved that she knew she couldn't bear to break off the relationship. It was a good feeling, something she could be sure of. Not like with Danny, which she conceded was completely one-sided. There was nothing wrong with her being happy with Dash. Danny was a lost cause. Right? Sam battled with herself as she walked with Dash back to her house. By the time they walked through her front door and Dash had pulled her in to his arms to kiss her, her internal battle was over.

Errol reveled and grew strong from the feelings passing between Dash and Sam. He would have shivered in joy at the embrace between the two if he had had a physical form. Instead he simply gave into the experience and let himself enjoy the moment. He resisted the urge to take Dash over completely and fully experience Dash's kiss with Sam. He warred with himself, much as Sam had earlier. He had missed the girl; he knew he was attached to her, but he was sure he had control over everything.

Finally, Errol couldn't take it anymore within the brief moments of what in all honesty had been a rather chaste kiss between Dash and Sam, Errol took Dash over completely. Sam felt the sudden change in the tender way Dash held her, but she wasn't given time to think about it as Dash held her closer and the kiss turned from a chaste brushing of lips to something more passionate, loving and tender. Sam's knees went weak and Errol thrilled to the feeling of her against Dash. He deepened the kiss as he held her up, resisting the temptation to find somewhere to sit with her and explore the beautiful feelings that holding her invoked. He promised himself that he'd never do this again. Taking over Dash like this was wrong. Kissing her like this was wrong. He was stealing from Dash, he knew. But as he continued to hold and kiss the girl in his arms, he stopped caring; he didn't want to let go. He knew he'd find a way to stay with her, even if it was only through Dash every now and again. He dared her to whisper Danny's name now. He knew he could erase the boy from her mind in a way Dash never could, and that's how he began to justify what he was doing. It was for their own good.


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