Chapter 8: To Protect a Friend

"Well, that would explain a few things about Robin's uniform." Tucker commented while remembering the first Boy Wonder's first appearance.

"Care to elabo… don't matter." Sam replied. "We have to figure out whatever proof she has on Danny and destroy it."

"Well, Bruce Wayne's first ward came from a family that used to wear a similar outfit for their…"

"Shut up, Tucker." Sam demanded. "We must break into her house to find her blackmail material or at least find something to use as counter-blackmail material."

"No way!" Tucker frowned and shook his head 'no'. "You already got us to fake date. If Velma gets word about me getting arrested for breaking into another girl's place…"

"I'll give you 20 bucks." She offered.

"No!" He replied.

"50 bucks!" She raised her offer.

"No!" He hesitated a little but still refused. "Sam, you need help and not the kind you're asking from me."

"I'm not crazy!" She shouted.

"If you're so sure Barbara isn't Batgirl, how about asking for her help against Barbara?" Tucker suggested even if just to see how Sam would react.

"Good idea but I hope she doesn't get Batman involved." Sam replied. "Barbara doesn't deserve to be dropped to death even if she's blackmailing my… our friend."

"Or, we could let Jazz in and ask for her advice." Tucker said, realizing she was really liking the idea of getting a superheroine involved with her obsession with Danny.

"We can't." Sam replied. "Because Danny requested police protection against the bullies, they extended it to her on the grounds that she's his sister."

"Lucky girl." Tucker muttered. "Why couldn't Danny remember us?"

"Sam, it's late and I want to sleep." Tucker complained. "Can't we leave this for tomorrow?"

"Alright, Tucker." She begrudgingly said and went to her room. She then phoned Jazz's cell phone.

"Hello?" A man's voice answered.

"Who's there?" Sam asked with a mix of confusion and anger. "I thought I'd called Jasmine Fenton's cell phone."

"I'm intercepting all calls to Jasmine Fenton or her brother for as long as they're under police protection." The man explained. "Who's calling?"

"Sam Manson." She answered. "May I please talk to her now, Officer…"

"Gordon." The man answered. "Commissioner Gordon."

"On a second thought, I'll call her later." Sam said in fear Gordon would listen to the conversation. "Bye."

Worried about it, the Commissioner decided to consult Jazz on the matter. Fortunately, he agreed to shelter the Fenton siblings at his home. Barbara was adjusting her room so both she and Jazz could sleep there when he entered. "Dad!" Barbara exclaimed in disapproval. "Did you forget I'm no longer the only girl here?"

"Sorry, Princess." He replied. "Ms. Fenton, may I speak to you?"

"What's wrong, Sir?" Jazz asked.

"Ms. Fenton, a Samantha Manson called you but gave up after I identified myself." He stated. "Would you know why?"

"Oh, Sam probably wanted to ask me to find some dirt on your daughter." Jazz answered.

"Danny is the only one at Casper High who doesn't know Sam Manson has a crush on him." Barbara explained upon seeing her father's confused expression.

"Okay." He replied. "Good night."

He then went downstairs to talk to Danny. "Are you comfortable, Mr. Fenton?"

"Yes, Commissioner." Danny replied. "And you may call me Danny."

"Now, Danny, I know I probably shouldn't be talking about this until we stop offering you and your sister protection but, what're your intentions towards my daughter?" The Commissioner asked.

'Perhaps I should've let the bullies get me.' Danny thought. "Sir, I want a serious relationship and hopefully, if we're still dating by the time we finish college, marriage." He answered and hoped it was the right answered.

"Good answer." Commissioner Gordon sternly replied. "Now, you'd better not harm my daughter or you'll be begging for jail by the time she'd done retaliating."

"Dad, don't scare my boyfriend." She mock scolded him.

"Sorry, Princess." He replied. Afterwards, the Fenton teens and the Gordons went to sleep.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lancer was at the Precinct trying to get Dash and Dale released. "Please, Casper High needs them to win the game."

"That's no excuse for them to do what they did, Lancer." Detective Bullock replied. "And besides, the Commish would be very upset if I let them out."

"Detective Bullock, I understand the Commissioner wants to protect his daughter but she's blowing it out of proportion." Lancer pleaded.

"The Fenton boy doesn't think like that." Bullock argued.

"He's a troublemaker and the arrestees are football stars." Lancer argued. "Especially Mr. Baxter."

"A typical teacher who favors athletes." Bullock commented in disgust. "Newsflash, Lancer. Those punks probably wouldn't be in this situation if you taught them right from wrong."

"I waged a whole month's pay on this game." Lancer pleaded.

"Not in this state, I hope, since it's illegal here." Bullock replied.

"I'll share my winnings with you if you release them!" Lancer was desperate.

"That's it, you're under arrest for attempting to bribe a Police Detective!" Bullock had enough of Lancer's idiocy and read the latter's rights. "And the education board will know about your bet!"

The next day, the Gotham Gators were easily defeating the Casper Ravens. "And Chip Shreck scores another touchdown!" A commentator announced. "The score is now Gators – 41; Ravens – 14." An extra point is scored. "Correction: The Gators now have 42 points instead of 41."

"With the way this Shreck guy scores, the Ravens would lose even if Dash and Dale were playing." Danny commented to Barbara.

"Well, since we already know the Gators will win anyway, would you please buy more popcorn?" Barbara asked.

With the non-arrested players at the field, he felt it safe. "Sure." He replied. "Just guard my place and my soda, please."

"Sure, Danny." Barbara replied.

"That's our chance, Tucker!" Sam exclaimed upon seeing Danny leave his seat. "We'll talk to him and see what Barbara wants with him."

"She just wants a nice boyfriend, Sam." Tucker replied. "And perhaps a superhero to fight alongside Batgirl." He added in a whisper.

"Aren't you going with me?" Sam asked.

"And miss this?" Tucker asked in reply and smiled. "No way! Those jerks are losing so badly they'll no longer be able to get away with picking on us!"

"At least call me if she also leaves before Danny returns." Sam ordered and left. Looking around, she found Danny at the popcorn stand. "Danny?"

"Sam?"

"Danny, how're you doing?" She asked, happy to see her friend and secret crush again. "Did Gordon threaten you?"

"He's just the typical overprotective Dad, Sam." Danny tried to reassure his friend. "He's like your Dad except that his daughter doesn't want just friendship with me."

Sam frowned and muttered "Clueless" but it seemed Danny didn't hear her. "Actually, I meant Barbara. What's she blackmailing you for?"

"What?"

"She knows your secret and is using it to blackmail you, right?" Sam asked. "That's why a beautiful girl like her wants you, right?"

Danny frowned but had something more urgent that calling Sam out. "Do you really think she has to know my secret to like me? You sound like Dash and how do you even suspect she knows?"

"First of all, don't you compare me to jerks like Dash." She angrily demanded and then hesitated before continuing. "Tucker and I overheard you and Barbara and then figured out she knows."

Danny was even angrier now. "You and Tucker spied on us?" He asked.

"It was for your own good!" Sam argued.

"Does Tucker also think she's blackmailing me?" Danny asked.

"No." Sam frowned. "For some reason, he thinks she's Batgirl. Could you believe it?"

"No comments, Sam." Danny said upon recovering from the shock. "Now, if you excuse me, my girlfriend is waiting for this popcorn and I'll be grateful if you and your fellow stalker stop playing with those theories."

"I'm trying to protect you!" She protested but Danny ignored her and kept walking.

"Where's Jazz?" Danny asked his girlfriend upon returning.

"Nature called her." Barbara answered and then took her popcorn. "Thanks."

"Uh, Barbara. I'm afraid my friends figured out you know my secret." Danny whispered to her.

"Well, it's your secret so, I don't mind them knowing I know." She commented.

"Don't take offence, but Sam thinks you're blackmailing me." Danny hesitantly explained.

"Wow, I know she loves you but she's desperate for an excuse to hate me." Barbara commented back.

"Barbara, Sam and I are just friends." Danny said and was interrupted by another Chip Shreck touchdown. "So, it's 49-14 now." Danny commented after another extra point was scored.

"49-17 actually." Barbara corrected her boyfriend. "Your school scored three points while you were away."

"There's another issue: the secret you trusted me with? Tucker seems to have figured it out." Danny fearfully said.

"How?" Barbara asked with a tone that made Danny fear she suspected he told them.

"I don't know how to tell this, but they spied on our date." Danny explained.

"Yeah, I figured out this much back then but I didn't know either of them would be that smart." She replied. 'Even if I should since Jack Fenton figured out Batman's identity.'

"What?" Danny replied in confusion.

"Danny, I knew they were following us." Barbara said. "I didn't say anything because I didn't want to ruin things between you and them."

"Okay." Danny sadly replied.

Jazz then returned. "What did I miss?"

After the game, Danny, Jazz and Barbara were approached by Commissioner James Gordon and Jack and Maddie Fenton. "Mom? Dad?" Danny and Jazz asked.

"Commissioner Gordon called, kids." Maddie explained. "After what he told us, we decided to take you home right now."

"It's their right as your parents." The Commissioner explained to Danny and Jazz and then redirected his attention to the Fenton parents. "Mr. and Mrs. Fenton, I'll still need your son to come back to testify."

"Just let us know the date, Sir." Jack told the Commissioner.

"An official notification shall be sent by mail, Mr. Fenton." Commissioner Gordon stated. "By the way, I'd be glad if your son testified during the bail hearing."

"Anything to keep bullies out of the way, Commissioner Gordon."

After it was settled, the Fentons left Gotham City and Danny told his family about Tucker and Sam's stalking. "After this, it's no wonder Barbara thinks Sam is in love with me." He commented.

"Honestly, Danny. I'm tired of this!" Jazz was exasperated. "I thought I shouldn't tell anything until she confessed it herself but, have you never thought about the possibility of Sam really having a crush on you?"

"There were some brief moments but then I realized how stupid I was being." Danny answered.

"Danny, even Dad noticed it!" Jazz said.

"The same Dad who believes Batman to be Bruce Wayne?" Danny retorted.

"Wayne's got the required money and background, and the Robins came around the time he adopted…"

"Not now, Jack." Maddie asked.

"Jazz, what did you mean by Dad believing Sam's supposed crush on me?" Danny asked his sister.

"Don't you remember he gave you a ring with her name engraved on it?" Jazz asked back.

"I remember it as well as the fact I was dating Valerie back then." Danny answered.

Meanwhile, Sam and Tucker were inside their respective rooms when each one received an unexpected visitor.

With Sam:

"You?" Sam asked with a frown.

"I've heard you suspect I'm blackmailing the friend you have a not-so-secret crush on." Barbara replied with a malicious smile.

With Tucker:

"You!" Tucker exclaimed in joy. "Will I finally get your autograph?"

"I didn't show up in broad daylight just to give somebody an autograph." Batman replied with a note that scared Tucker. "I came here to tell you to stop trying to uncover Batgirl's secret identity. We know Danny Phantom's after all and they have an agreement to keep each other's a secret."

"Really?" Tucker asked in surprise.

With Sam:

"Yeah, you found out he's…" Sam hesitated. She's suddenly not so sure Barbara knew Danny Fenton was Danny Phantom.

"Look, if that's what Dash Baxter said, I'm telling you that, if Danny Fenton is Danny Phantom, I am Batgirl." Barbara reassured Sam. "By the way, Batman is at this very moment telling Tucker to stop trying to figure out her secret identity."

'There's at least one good thing I can't deny about this girl.' Sam thought. 'She's got quite a sense of humor.'

With Tucker:

"I don't get it!" Tucker exclaimed. "Why didn't he tell Sam and me?"

"Batgirl's secret identity isn't his secret to tell." Batman stated.

"But I got it right, right?" Tucker hopefully asked.

"It's not my secret to tell either." Batman replied with a 'dare-you-to-contradict-me' face.

Afterwards, the two teens boarded a bus back to Amity Park. During the journey, they received a message from Danny asking them to meet him. Upon arriving at Fentonworks, they entered his room, where he was waiting with a frown. "So, what does the stalking couple have to say?" Danny asked.

"It was her fault!" Tucker desperately pleaded while pointing at Sam. "You know how scary she can be."

"You know, I called Barbara after returning home." Danny stated.

"That soon?" Sam frowned.

"Any news from the bullies?" Tucker asked.

"It seems Dash has an Uncle named Charlie who lives in Gotham City whose lawyers are trying to negotiate a plea bargain." Danny explained. "But that's not what I called her for. I asked for her permission to tell you both her secret and she agreed. Congratulations, Tucker. You got it right!"

"I knew it!" Tucker exclaimed in triumph and pointed at Sam. "Pay up!"

"Nice try, Foley, but we didn't bet on it." She replied.

"It didn't harm to try." Tucker said.

"But it will." Sam threatened but then remembered what Danny had just confirmed. "Barbara is Batgirl? Why didn't you tell us before?"

"It wasn't my secret to tell and she only agreed to trust you because I reassured her you both would keep the secret." He replied.

"No problem, Danny." Tucker said.

"Ditto." Sam added with a frown.

"What's wrong?" Danny asked. "Sam, aren't you glad Barbara's not blackmailing me?"

"No!" Sam was exasperated. "I wanted a reason to hate her so I could have a chance with you again!"

"What?"

"Danny, I'm tired of your cluelessness!" Sam exclaimed. "I love you! I've been loving you for a while! How come you didn't notice that?"

"I never suspected a thing." Danny answered. "I always thought a tough girl like you would have told me. Too bad you didn't before I entered You + Me = Love or I might have reciprocated."

"I suppose you're upset with me for spying on you." Sam sadly suggested.

"Actually, I suppose I can't since the only difference between this and me spying on Elliot was that he turned out to be really bad." Danny replied. "Sam, I'm steady with Barbara but we can still be friends if that's good enough for you."

"Alright, friend." Sam said. "If you don't mind, I must go home now. Bye."

"So, why exactly did a Police Commissioner's daughter become a vigilante?" Tucker asked.

"What do you know about Batgirl's first appearance?" Danny asked.

As a big fan of Batman, the techno geek knew the answer. "I know it took place back when Barbara's Dad was framed… oh."

End chapter.

Author's Note: I took the idea of it being illegal to bet on the game's results from the Batman: The Animated Series episode where the Scarecrow used his fear toxin to sabotage those he made bets against.

Answer to Leonardo (guest): De nada mas temo que terá que se contentar com Lancer, Dash e Dale sendo presos.