Author's note: Wow. I'm already writing another chapter? I'm on a role for once. Ha-ha. Somehow the ideas just seem to FLOW when making Christmas cookies for the entire day. But the cookies are delicious if I may say so myself! .

Disclaimer: nothing owned, only writing practice gained.

Story notes: I was having a major problem deciding on which way to go with this; I have about 100 scenarios running through my head, thus this in the middle, plot building chapter. Especially on whom the dark figure should be. Should I go with the expected? Or should I make up someone new? Or go with one of the expected, yet not mentioned in the reviews? Hmm, how do I put myself in these pickles?

Though I did realize that I mentioned in the chapter before it was Wednesday. So let's keep up with the right time and not skip several days. Which I've been known to do before. (Smile) And I had to add a little 'funny' at some point. Total angst gets to me. (Side look)

And yes. The characters are OOC, especially Jack. But, (sigh) he bugs me in the show anyways. Heehee. So, if that disturbs anyone, my apologies.

Enough with the long author's notes! On with the story!

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GAME OVER flashed across the TV screen in big red letters, but neither of the two teens noticed, as they were both asleep, the sugar rush they had experienced several hours ago long since forgotten.

BEEP

BEEP

BEEP

BEEP
BEEP
BEEP!

Danny woke up with a start, looking around the floor for the source of the noise. Suddenly, he spotted the alarm clock on the night stand beeping away. He grumbled, not being a morning person, before, instead of taking the energy to wake up, threw an ecto-blast at it in his half conscious state. Then he flopped his head back on the ground, trying to get back to sleep.

Then, in an instant of morning fog being lifted from his brain, Danny remembered. It was Thursday. Damn it. He shook Tucker. "Wake up Tucker. It's time for school."

All Tucker responded with was a grunt and a "Wait until the alarm goes off."

Danny rolled his eyes, "Come on Tuck." He shook his best friend again.

Finally Tucker opened his eyes. "Why didn't the alarm clock go off?" He then looked over his shoulder, before turning to glare at his friend, only to see Danny dashing around the place getting ready. "Do I have to get a new alarm clock every time Danny sleeps over?" He mumbled as he rolled his eyes, falling back and staring at the ceiling.

676

Half an hour later of rushed getting ready found Danny, Tucker, and Sam, who had caught up with them as they left Tucker's house, walking to school.

"Dude? Are you sure you want to go to school? Lancer totally gave you an excuse to ditch yesterday."

Sam shook her head at Tucker, "Danny doesn't have time to miss school. His grades are suffering enough from ghost fighting as it is."

"A 'C' average isn't suffering, Sam." Tucker retorted.

"Yes, when we bring into account your grades." Sam smiled at her comeback.

Yes, a few hours to think and clear my head was all I needed. Besides, when you have normal fights like this to watch, how can your mood not get better? Danny thought as he watched his friends bicker.

The saying always goes, the calm before the storm.

At school, the three friends were avoiding talking to anyone, not a hard task considering their social status, when Jazz found them crowded around Danny's locker as he was looking for his English book.

"Ah. I must have left it at home!" Danny cried in frustration, could nothing go right anymore?

"And you just might have a sister who noticed and who's bringing it to you," Jazz spoke up, holding out the English book to Danny.

Danny snatched it from her grip, mumbling a thanks.

"Cheer up little brother. Come home this afternoon. I'm almost got mom and dad to change their minds."

Danny gave her a blank look. "Don't even try to stretch the truth on that Jazz."

Jazz sighed, "Fine Danny, but the three of you have to face each other some time." She then turned on her heel, walking off as she shook her head at the stubbornness of her entire family.

RING

At that instant, the bell rang. "Great, we're late for class, again."

As they entered their English class, Mr. Lancer gave the three of them scrutinizing glances. "Can't the three of you make it to my class on time once?"

"Probably not." Tucker snickered quietly getting Sam to roll her eyes as they walked to their seats.

"Yes. Now that the trio has decided to attend, I would like to get back to my discussion on Antigone. Can anyone explain to me the family tree in the story."

From there the discussion continued. But, suddenly, Danny's ghost sense went off. Not now, he thought.

The room grew cold as Danny raised his hand.

"Yes, Mr. Fenton?"

"May I go to the bathroom?"

Mr. Lancer scrutinized Danny. "Is it an emergency?"

Danny was annoyed at this point, and not caring much other than to get out of the room and kick some ghost butt, he let his eyes fade to a glowing green. "Yes." He said through gritted teeth.

Those eyes unnerved the middle aged teacher more than he would have liked to admit, as the incidents, not just from last week, were still fresh in his mind. But he hid the fact well, "Make sure it doesn't happen again, Mr. Fenton."

Danny rushed out the door, looking around the hallway. His ghost sense went off again. Two rings surrounded his waist as he went through the transformation to his ghost mode. Once the light disappeared, he looked at the figure standing in the middle of the hallway.

"You!" He couldn't help as his voice filled with surprise.

676

One thing I noticed. Have I had a chapter yet where Danny hasn't been asleep at some point? Heehee.

This is my usual in the middle "calm before the storm" chapter. I just remembered as I was writing this that I've had this same kind of 'layout' before. Real original blockhead. (Slaps self)

Sorry it was so short. But I couldn't resist the cliffhanger! Next chapter should be longer, as it will have a fight scene, and I tend to write those pretty detailed. MOST of the time, but I should never make promises should I? (sheepish smile)

Yeah. Short, boring, and corny? Just some plot building. Hope it wasn't too bad. Next time. We get to figure out who the figure is! Maybe I'll have decided by then. (Cough) That's soooo bad to not have that figured out, I usually would have before I even started. But, oh well, bad Wolf.

So tune in next time!

Hoping this wasn't too bad…. GhostWolf676 out!