FINALLY! This chapter has been done for about a week now, but this stupid site didn't want to let me upload a new document.
Anyway, this chapter is mostly fluff. You have been warned.
In case some of you haven't noticed, i've deleted the authors notes. they were distracting from the story. The first one, before the first chapter, had 300 hits alone! it was driving me nuts. so if i have any news, i'll put up a temporary note until the new chapter is done, then it comes down and a summary goes in the notes before the chapter.
i would like to point out a few things. first off, my one-shot, Phantom, has the same number of reviews as this story, and 400 fewer hits. i think there is something wrong there. so hopefully getting rid of the notes will net me more reviews.
Does anybody remember the ring that made its first appearance in chapter 2? if not, go back and read it. cause it makes an appearance in this chapter. you will all go AWWWW at the end.
text : flashback
text : speaking between D and D's minds (there are only two people with D names in this story. figure it out!)
text : regular words
'text' : self dialogue
"text" : regular dialogue
on with the show!
Chapter Twelve-The Dance
The day of the dance dawned bright and clear. There wasn't a cloud in sight and the forecast had promised cool days and nights for next few days.
"I love watching the sunrise. It's so beautiful." The speaker was a tall redhead, her leather wings folded tight against her back.
"Dawn patrols are the best. The city's so peaceful." This came from the white-haired ghost boy sitting beside her.
Danny and Demonica were sitting at the top of the tallest trees in the park. They had just finished their early morning patrol of the city. Things had been quiet lately, with the only disturbances being the Box Ghost, who had been throwing around some boxes in an abandoned warehouse, and Nibs.
Nibs had somehow gotten herself stuck in Dr. Maboroshi's office. Unfortunately, Casper High's school psychiatrist had been in there when it happened. He tried to help her get out, but she kept freaking out and destroying the office. By the time the two teens had shown up, the poor man had given up and was sitting in his chair, elbows propped on his desk. He was rubbing his temples, desperately trying to rid himself of the headache cause by that high-pitched bundle of nerves rocketing around his office.
Danny had to bite back a laugh as Demonica calmed the little demon long enough to get her outside. When she returned, Danny was helping clean up the office. Demonica offered her assistance and it was graciously accepted.
In no time at all, the office was clean and the three were chatting comfortably. Dr. M, as he had asked to be called, was an easy man to talk to. He had answered all of the questions Demonica had thrown at him, as well as asking a few of his own, some of which shocked the demon girl into silence.
When Danny glanced at the clock and reminded the girl that they still had some patrolling to do, Demonica was a little reluctant to leave. Dr. M. waved them away with the promise that they were always welcome back. "My door is always open. Come talk to me about anything," were his exact words, and the teens nodded and left.
The two heroes took to the sky once more, circling the city one final time before heading home.
What time are you guys gonna come by with the limo? Demonica's eyes searched the ground while her mind spoke out to Danny.
Danny thought for a moment before answering. Well, the dance doesn't start until nine and we were thinking about going out for dinner beforehand, so how about 6:30?
Demonica smiled. That sounds great. I'll expect you at 6:30. See ya, Danny. 'That'll give me plenty of time to find something nice for Sam and Danny.' She flapped harder, hoping she would make it home before her parents woke up.
One other person was up early. Sam was sitting in her window seat, also watching the sunrise. She hardly ever did this because she just wasn't a morning person. On the rare occasions that she was awake this early, then she would use the time to write.
She put down her notebook and looked over at her closet, where she had hung up her dress. When she had gotten home, she had showed it to her mom, who turned out to like it. It was still covered but she couldn't wait to put it on and find out Danny's reaction.
Sam yawned loudly and decided to go back to sleep. She set her alarm and fell back into bed, not noticing the dark shadow that crossed her window.
Four o'clock rolled around. Alex had found what she wanted for Danny and Sam: a watch for him and a couple of rare books for her. The gifts were wrapped with simple colors and placed next to the front door.
Alex took a quick shower and blow-dried her hair. She then took a really long time getting dressed and putting on her makeup. By the time she was done, it was 6:00. Now, all she could do was wait.
Meanwhile, Danny and Tucker were standing in the Manson living room. Both boys were dressed in their suits and ties, holding their fedoras in their hands. Danny kept shifting nervously and checking his jacket pocket as if making sure something was there. Tucker merely rolled his eyes and crossed his arms behind his back, humming some random tune.
The Manson's had already talked to Danny about his "intentions," as they had said. He gave his word that he would be a gentleman and they accepted it, leaving the two boys standing there while they went to fetch Sam.
Danny turned the fedora over in his hands, picked off an invisible piece of fuzz, and glanced up the stairs, as he had been doing for the last five minutes. This time, however, the breath was shocked out of him and he nearly fell to the floor as he felt his knees go weak.
Tucker turned to look at Danny when he heard his friend gasp. He saw where the other boy was looking and turned to the stairs. When he saw Sam coming down them, he whistled softly in appreciation.
Sam looked positively stunning. She wore a beautiful lilac ballgown that had bits of lace woven into the skirt and beads around the neckline and on the straps. She wore lilac gloves that went above her elbow and two-inch heels that were decorated with rhinestones. Her strawberry-blonde hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun with two tendrils falling around her face. Her violet eyes were accented with a light lilac eyeshadow and her lips wore a dark-purple lipstick.
Sam reached the bottom of the stairs and Danny was still trying to get his mind to catch up. "Wow…" He finally managed to croak out the word while fiddling with his hat. Sam smiled, then laughed as Danny blushed.
"Much as I'd love to watch Danny drool over you," Tucker interrupted, his voice laced with sarcasm, "We do have one more person to pick up."
Danny snapped out of his Sam-induced trance and put his hat on, set at a jaunty angle. He held out his arm to Sam and asked, "Shall we?"
Sam laughed again and linked arms with her boyfriend. "We shall. The limo should be waiting." Tucker rolled his eyes and followed the couple to the black stretch limo parked out front.
Alex sat by her window, nervously tapping one foot. She looked at her alarm clock for what seemed like the 20th time that minute. She looked out the window and her heart skipped a beat when she saw Tucker step out of the limo.
The blonde teen stood up quickly, suddenly very nervous. She walked to her bed, and sat down again, slipping on her three-inch heels. She stood, adjusting her skirt and smoothing out the wrinkles.
She turned to the floor-length mirror next to her closet and admired her reflection. The dress was red sating with halter straps, a fitted bodice, and floor-length box-pleated skirt. Underneath she wore red satin heels and on her arms were gloves that came to mid-forearm, made of the same fabric as her dress. Her hair was not put up, but was feathered to frame her face. Alex wore very little makeup, just some pale-blue eyeshadow and cherry-red lipstick.
There was a knock on the door and Alex turned to see her mother standing there, her grey eyes welling up with tears.
"My baby's growing up." Emily's voice was choked with emotion as she gathered her daughter into her arms. Alex returned her mother's hug awkwardly.
"Ahem." The two broke apart and saw Alex's dad standing in the doorway. "There seems to be a nice young man waiting for you downstairs."
"Well, I'd better be get going then." Alex looked in the mirror one last time, grabbed a tulip from the bouquet that had been delivered that morning and tucked it behind one ear, and headed to the stairs. When she got there, she took a deep breath and started down them slowly, holding her skirt up just enough so she wouldn't trip over it.
About half-way down, she spotted Tucker. He was standing in the living room, his mouth opening and closing without a sound, while Danny and Sam stood behind him, smirking slightly.
Alex came down the rest of the stairs with her cheeks flushed and a small smile on her face. The two teens stood staring at each other for several minutes before Alex's parents interrupted and demanded pictures "of the happy couple and their friends," as the blonde's mother said.
All four teens rolled their eyes, but dutifully stood for several pictures before saying they had dinner reservations and had to be going. On the way out, Alex grabbed the gifts and received strange looks from her friends.
Once they were actually in the limo, Alex handed the presents to their respective owners. Sam was ecstatic about the books, Danny oohed and aahed over the watch, and Tucker was speechless for his PDA.
After dinner, which was at Chez de le Feu with the four friends talking and laughing for more than an hour, everyone piled back into the limo and they headed to the dance.
The dance itself was rather dull. Sam and Danny danced a couple of slow songs while Alex and Tucker mostly just sat and talked. With only 15 minutes left before the dance ended, Danny convinced Tucker to ask Alex to dance, and Sam convinced Alex to agree.
With their mission accomplished, the couple headed outside to get some fresh air. After a quick glance to make sure no one was looking, Danny changed to his ghost half and flew his date up to the roof of the school. Once there, he changed back and settled next to Sam.
They stared up at the clear sky for several minutes before Danny cleared his throat, causing Sam to look over at him. He looked extremely nervous and was fiddling with something in his jacket pocket.
"Is something wrong, Danny?" Sam sat up, looking a little worried.
"Umm…well, I…uh…um," Danny's mouth stopped connecting with his brain as he tried to get the words out.
"Spit it out, Danny." Sam stood up and shook out her skirt. "We should probably head back inside soon."
Danny stood up and pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket. He grabbed his girlfriends' hand, and in one swift motion, turned her to face him as he dropped to one knee, wincing slightly as he felt the light gravel of the rooftop.
Sam's breath caught in her throat and her heart sped up. 'He isn't…We can't…Oh, God.'
"Sam? This is something I've thought about for a while now. I love you, and I want nothing more than to make you happy." Danny swallowed and held up the little box. "This is a promise ring. I want you to promise that no matter what happens between us, you'll always be happy." He opened the box to reveal the emerald and sapphire ring Jazz had given him at the beginning of the school year. Danny pulled Sam's glove off and slipped the ring on her right hand ring finger.
"Danny, I…I don't-"
He stood up and placed a finger on her lips, silencing any protests. "This isn't an engagement ring. Think of it as…a symbol of how much I care."
Sam smiled, her eyes filling with tears of joy. 'I already know who would make me happy.' She pulled her boyfriend close with a tight hug and leaned in to give him a kiss.
Danny met her lips halfway and the relished their perfect moment.
everybody go "Awww." so...much...fluff!
don't worry. the next chapter will be all action and angst. and some very pissed off people. you'll just have to wait until i get the next chapter up! Nah nah nahnah nah! sticks out tongue
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