A/N: I couldn't help but up-date. Come on, guys, be happy! Anyway, here goes the next chapter! There is no fluff, unfortunately, because things are getting a little serious. Also, the purpose of that strange shot Vlad gave Danny is explained a little bit indirectly. I think that's what it is. Anyway, on with the chapter!

Chapter Twelve

Vlad

Pacing. White corridors. White clothes on everyone around. Blue clothes every now and then. The smell of latex gloves. The feeling of anxiety. Sounds of crying. Beeps every now and then. Sounds of some people whispering. Uneasiness. Thought.

Sam was pacing back and forth, trying to get together her story. Danny had left to meet her at her house early in the morning. No. That didn't make much sense. Danny went out for a morning jog to get his thoughts together and she met him while she was sitting on her porch? Yes. That makes sense. Then he just left and she didn't know to where. Yes. Perfect sense. She sniffled, wiping her eyes again.

She groaned and took a seat in one of the chairs in the waiting room. She was in the hospital, waiting for news of Danny. Some people had found him lying on the pavement, unconscious and bleeding from a wound on his shoulder-area. She had gotten there a minute or so into the whole mess while people had started to gather and had called an ambulance. He was lucky to have been found or else he could have... She didn't want to say it. She didn't even want to think about it. What's important is that he's not...

Sam sighed, exasperated. Why didn't she insist on going with him? To make sure he was safe. To make sure he didn't get into trouble. Why wasn't she there? Why didn't she help? More importantly, who did this? Why? For what purpose did they try and hurt Danny?

"Sam!" the name broke through her train of thoughts. The familiar voice got her to stand up to greet her friend. Tucker looked rushed, half-asleep, and fully alert.

"Tucker," she said. Her eyes began to swell with more tears. They began to sting again. "Tucker." She slung herself into his arms, crying into his hastily thrown on T-shirt. Tucker held her, not knowing what to do. What to say.

"Sam," he whispered. Once she stopped trembling, he let go, pulling away slightly so he could look at her. She looked miserable, sad, lost, alone. "Where are Mr. and Mrs. Fenton? Jazz?"

"With the doctor," Sam said. "Tucker he's hurt. Tucker, he's still unconscious, they can't get him to wake up, Tucker." Her voice was uneven, her taking short, rapid breaths so she could keep up with her words.

"Sam, it's gonna be okay," Tucker assured her. "He's gonna be okay. I know."

Sam knew he was just trying to make her feel better, but the words felt good to hear. She nodded feebly. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Maddie and Jack, and Jazz walking over. She broke into a run towards them, covering the distance quickly. "So?' she asked, not taking a single second to even think.

"He is going to be okay," Jazz said. "There was no severe damage, and not much blood was lost. But whether or not he'll remember or even wake up soon is still being determined."

"Sam, honey, are you ready to tell us what happened?" Maddie asked softly. Sam nodded.

"Yes," she said. "But I don't think it will be much help." She wiped away her remaining tears and sniffled again as Tucker put an arm around her shoulders. She led the Fentons to sit down and listen to her hastily made-up story. She had to make sure she didn't get herself trapped in the web of lies she'd created to keep Danny's secret. She knew he wouldn't want her to just tell them everything she knew about his powers. He wouldn't like it.

After nearly twenty minutes of explaining again and again that Sam didn't know much of what happened, the group finally settled down. They were all sitting down in a row on the chairs in the waiting room. Each had on a thoughtful expression, trying to get together their own thoughts. "Mrs. Fenton," Sam said then, breaking the silence.

"Yes," Maddie said quietly.

"Is there any way I can go see Danny, even for just a few minutes?" Sam asked. Maddie looked at her.

"I don't see why not," she said. "But you may want to check in with the nurse." Sam nodded and stood.

"Thank you," she said quietly. Tucker was about to stand, but she put a hand up to stop him. "I'll go," she said. He dared not argue with her for fear that her being unstable might cause some rather unwanted mood-swings.

Sam walked over to the reception area and exchanged a few words with the nurse sitting there. She pointed out Danny's room and Sam thanked her.

Walking down the quiet halls was a little unnerving. Her rubbing her arm nervously set a slight uneasy mood to the place. The smells and whispers were not making things any better.

Sam finally reached her destination: Danny's room. She opened the door quietly, making sure no one else was in the room. Danny laid there, in the bed, arms on top of the white sheets, asleep. She didn't really know whether he was just asleep or unconscious, but she didn't really care just as long as the cardiac-monitor was beeping.

She walked inside the room, closing the door behind her. Quietly, she turned and walked towards Danny's motionless figure. She took a seat at the edge of his bed, looking at him. His chest rose and fell with each calmed, deep breath he took. His clothes had been changed since his shirt was stained with his blood. His jeans had been torn slightly too. Sam would see a little gauze wrapped around his arm from minor wounds inflicted upon them.

"Oh, Danny," she mumbled, looking at him and shaking her head. For some reason it felt as if this were her fault somehow. She shook her head again and quickly wiped her eyes before new tears could form. Sighing deeply, she reached over and ran a trembling hand through his raven black hair. She traced the outline of his lips, his neck, running a finger down to his shoulder. The languid motion seemed to wake Danny.

Sam noticed his fingers curl into a premature fist. She saw his eyes flutter open and his hands relax. His eyes shifted, looking up at the ceiling before he sensed someone else there. He turned slightly, eyes seemingly wanting to close again, but he fought to keep them open. "Sam," he whispered, his voice hoarse.

Sam bit her lip, only managing to nod. He did remember. Which means he could tell her who did this to him. Looks like the tables have turned, she thought. Now it's my turn to take care of you, it seems.

"Oh, Danny," she said. "You had me worried. You're parents are here, and Jazz and Tucker, I should-" Samw as just about to stand up and go tell his parents, sister, and Tucker that he was awake, but stopped at Danny holding her back by the arm.

"No," his whispered in the same hoarse voice. He cleared his throat, trying to clear his voice. "Sam, I want you here. Don't leave, please, it's not safe."

Was he delusional? She sat back down, his hand sliding down her arm. "What do you mean?" she asked, a little bit concerned for his well-being. Danny looked at her, her noticing his eyes scanning over her face.

"You were crying," he said, his voice no longer as hoarse as before. He ignored her question. If I tell you, you could be in more danger, he thought weakly to himself. If I tell you, you won't want to be near me anymore. I don't want you to leave me alone. Not now.

Sam noticed his eyes glaze over slightly. What was going through his mind? What was he thinking right now? "Danny," she said. "Why would I be in danger?" She skipped right to the point. She wnated to know. She needed to know. If she was in danger, then surely it was from the same person who did this to him. It had to be.

Danny shook his head weakly. He hated seeing her like this, worried and sad. "Danny, I want to help you. You can do that by telling me who did this to you," Sam said, taking Danny's hand in hers. "Trust me, Danny, tell me who did this. Why am I in danger?"

Danny closed his eyes, trying to get his thoughts together. He opened them and looked at the ceiling. But then...the only way to keep her form being so worried would be to tell her, right? He opened his mouth to speak, but winced instead, cringing as the wounds on his arm and shoulder began to sting like mad. The pain didn't spread. For that he was happy, but the wound still stung badly. He was sure he knew who was doing this, too. His teeth clenched. "Vlad," he forced the word out his throat. Sam stood up suddenly. She gasped. "Vlad," Danny forced again, this time more quiet. Vlad.

E/N: Okay. There was no fluff. I'm a little disappointed at that, but I need to get the message out to Sam somehow. I couldn't just have it all happy with the doctor saying something like, "The whole unconscious thing was just from the impact. You're good to go, Daniel." Then let there be hugging and cheering. No. It had to be in a serious manner. I hope you guys don't hate me. I promsie I'll try and put some fluff in the next chapter. If I can't then in the chapter where Danny finally gets out of this dump.

--Airamé Phantom