Chapter 7 Pre-emptive Plan

At Danny's place upstairs, he talked to Sam and Tucker about his plan. They demanded to be 'connected' when he executed it, but he was afraid they might be 'executed' too, and would not agree. He was not taking any chances of losing his best friend or future bride. No more trips with him to the ghost dimension.

Sam didn't even like the idea of Danny going after Plasmius. She only wanted Danny to use his powers in self defense or the defense of others. Plasmius had not bothered anyone for a long time, and she wanted to let sleeping dogs lay.

"Plasmius has been…quiet lately Danny. Why not wait until after we graduate?" Why not wait until after we get married?

Danny could tell she didn't intend for him to hear the last part about waiting to get married. But he decided not to say anything yet about him getting more experience in his power.

"Sam, Plasmius has not done anything in the open lately, but I think he is up to no good, I think he is trying to get into the new ghost dimension. The longer I wait to take him down, the more powerful he may become. I have to strike before he is ready, before he causes some real harm."

Tucker cleared his throat: "I don't think it is a new dimension Danny, but an ancient one. Maybe even …eternal."

Danny could tell Tucker had come up with something, but sometimes he could come up with something that took a long time to say.

"Ok" Danny replied, "Whatever it is, I still need to keep that dinosaur out of it."

"If he is a dinosaur" Tucker replied, "he may not be able to get into it. He may be aware of it though, he is very experienced, and is always trying to grow his power." Scientific curiosity drove him to silently make the suggestion to him that he knew would upset Sam.

Danny, if you can hear me, I think you should try to get closer to the Anti-Mountain, the coldness you feel. But sneak up on it. I don't think it is Plasmius himself, even though you feel it is connected with him somehow. It will give us more clues. I think.

Danny did hear Tucker, and knew not to reply out loud for Sam to hear. He was able to think one-on-one even though multiple people were present. He trusted Tucker's advice.

OK Tuck. I will try and see what it is out there.

Sam became suspicious of the long silence. "Danny Fenton! Tucker Foley! What are you guys up to?..." She had an angry look, arms crossed. "Are you talking behind my…uh…back?" She knew Danny was brave, but sometimes he was brash too. She didn't want him to go on some suicide mission without knowing about it. She had to protect him from himself if she could.

Danny, raising his hand to his neck, smiled and then squinted at Tucker: "Uh well …not really…not behind your back…" Tucker just looked at Sam with his best dumb animal look.

"Ohhhh!" She was mad. Boys! "Tell me what's going on!"

Tucker went first: "Danny and I just talked about him phasing into the ghost dimension again, and making some observations that's all. Carefully. Nothing brash. Just sort of sneaking around with his eyes open, that's all."

Sam relaxed. But only a little. Her arms dropped to her sides, and then she walked over to Danny and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Danny, remember the last time? You didn't take my advice. I just want to keep you out of trouble, that's all. I don't want to lose you."

She felt his silent but loving caress, the non-hug in her mind, at the same time he physically wrapped his arms around her and drew her to him, nuzzling into her shining dark hair. Speaking softly he said:

"You won't. I promise." The simultaneous physical and mental affection overloaded her female senses, and she began to shiver. But it wasn't cold.

Tucker smiled as he watched his best friends cuddle. Man, I have got to get myself a girlfriend one of these days!

Danny smiled at the thought.