Hello! Thanks to my reviewers! I got a LOT more than I expected, so really thank you!

addicted2danny, XxFadedxMemoriesxX, phantomshadowdragon, Kats02980416, SilverstarsEbonyskies, Hakkyou Kuusou, Word Life 316, Halfa-NariMaruko, Phantom of a Rose, Master of Procrastination, InsaneHippieFromTheFuture, giggleaid, puppyface, Anne Camp aka Obi-quiet, shadowspinner1, dominicandragon, Sparky, KILLERGRIM23, ghostlover15, Catmedium, The Gypsy-Pirate Queen Teetering on the Brink of Insanity Past the Point of No Return Man Life Sucks, Queen S of Randomness 016

Oh, by the way, I kind of forgot to explain myself last chapter. The reason I have Danny and Sam dating already is because this follows what we all know will happen…sniffles in the last few episodes. So, kind of going along with that. Also, after two years, I'm pretty sure that Danny's bowling average would have changed, so when it's mentioned later, I did make it higher.

Previously In Fastball: Danny snaps on Dash and when he throws a baseball hard at Dash, he coach witnesses it and offers him the opportunity to play for the actual baseball team.

Fastball

Chapter Two:

Peer Pressure

"You wouldn't believe what Danny just did," Tucker said as soon as they met back up with Sam in the gym. The bell was about to ring in a few minutes, but the teachers refused to let them leave early.

Sam raised an eyebrow, staring between the two buds as Danny shot Tucker a look. "I don't think I want to know…but what?"

"Tell her Danny."

Danny sighed. "I turned down an offer to play on the baseball team. Big deal."

"What?" He could hear the clear surprise and confusion in her voice. "Whoa, wait a second. What happened?"

"Mr. Kinder saw me throw that ball at Dash," he said, running a hand through his jet black hair. "But I didn't get in trouble. He said I was…amazing or something. And he wanted me to play on the team."

"Really? That is amazing," Sam said to his surprise.

"What? How?" he wondered. "I can't play sports. Number one, I'm not that good at them if you haven't noticed and number two, with everything else going on, I wouldn't have time."

"Dude, school's almost out," Tucker said. "Remember, only fourteen days? The baseball season pretty much goes halfway into summer. You'll have plenty of time after school's out."

"So, what did you say again?" she asked.

"I told him no," he said. "End of story."

"Is it?" Sam wondered.

"Yeah, the coach did say if you changed your mind…" Tucker said.

"It's not going to happen," he argued. "I'm surprised you guys even want me to do this."

"Of course we do. If it's something that you want to do and something that'll make you happy," Sam told him. "And if the coach said you were good, you have to be good, don't you think?"

"Weren't you the one who said you hated sports?" he pointed out, giving her a sideways glance.

"You know, he's got a point," Tucker said, staring at her with an almost identical, curious look.

"I was sick. And you guys were the mascot," she said. "This is different. Now I'll actually get to watch you play. And there are some sports I can handle watching. It's different when you're actually on the team."

"You guys really want me to do this?" Danny couldn't believe it.

"Why not?" Sam asked. "He said you were good, right?"

"Yeah, but…" He cut off as the bell rang and there was a race to the hallway; the three trudged along after, still in the middle of their conversation.

"Danny, if you're worried about us, you've already heard our opinions. If this is something that you want to do, we're behind you on it and we respect that. Right, Tucker?" She stepped on his shoe as he went google—eyed over a girl.

"Right," he agreed, even though he didn't look certain of what he was complying with. "Yeah."

"The fact is, we're not going to stop hanging out with you if you play a sport. Don't even let that thought cross your mind," she summarized.

"That's not it…I just…" He didn't say anything else, stopping at his locker. "I just don't think I can."

"Hey Fentonio," Dash's familiar voice called out behind him. He barely had time to turn around when he was shoved backwards hard into his locker door. Dash laid a giant hand hard on his shoulder.

"What do you want?" he muttered, shoving it off.

"Whoo," Dash whistled. "Getting brave, aren't you?"

"Go ahead and watch me," he said, feeling his eyes burn again as anger crept steadily over him.

"Heard you turned down a chance on the baseball team," Dash said, very loudly, making everyone look their direction. Danny felt his cheeks instantly heat up. "Scaredy cat, are you? Can't take on the big boys huh?"

"Dash, I swear--" he began as the other jocks howled with laughter, smirking.

"That's okay. We didn't want a loser on our team anyway. Probably couldn't even play if you wanted to," he continued. "Got to leave the big boy games to us, you might want to stick to chess or trading card games."

"Hey!" Tucker shouted defensively. "There ain't nothing wrong with that." He quickly shut up as the others glared at him.

But Dash kept a firm gaze at Danny, his piercing green eyes staring coldly into Dash's indigo eyes. "Like we said, we wouldn't want you on our team anyway. Just because you throw a good ball once—just means it'll probably never happen again." He stood up, smiling in triumph. "Come on guys. We've got some real target practice."

They walked away, all of them laughing and the spectators that had been witnessing the show also laughed or shook their heads, leaving the situation alone.

Danny beat his fists angrily behind him into the lockers and Sam reached out to him, but he tore off towards the bathroom and was barely inside the door before there was a flash of light and he changed into his ghost form, too furious to even bother looking to see if there was anyone watching. To his luck, there hadn't been and he turned intangible, floating up towards the ceiling.

Adrenaline powered by the seething anger welling inside him sent him flying towards his own home without a backwards glance, his thoughts chaotic.

Scared? What was he scared of? He was pretty sure there was nothing he was scared of. At least, he wasn't afraid of joining the team. Let alone of Dash. He could play if he wanted, the coach had given him that option, hadn't he?

The whole way there, he'd almost convinced himself that Dash was just jealous at the fact that Danny had even been asked in the first place to become a team member. He was pretty certain that the others were too. That or he was embarrassed because the first time that he'd actually done something to defend himself, something good had actually happened that he himself hadn't inflicted.

He figured he shouldn't have run out on the scene like he'd had. That he had probably only made things worse, plus worry his best friends. He figured they knew what he'd done, but he'd left them high and dry in the middle of everything. Yet something else to apologize for…The list kept growing…

He changed back into his human form a good block away just in case his parents were anywhere in sight. This time, he made sure no one was there to witness the change and sighed, starting the trek back home when sure enough, no one was watching.

"I'm not scared," he told himself. Just because he hadn't ever played in his life, not counting the games they had in gym, but he meant real baseball. He'd never played any school sport before. He knew darn well that the players of the varsity baseball team had probably been playing most of their lives or at least their high school years.

He'd make a fool of himself if he were to join. As much as he hated to admit it, Dash had a point. Just because he'd thrown one good ball didn't mean he had talent anywhere else. He'd only hit a baseball a few times and the whole stealing—slide process was something he didn't even want to think about. Plus there was the infield—outfield thing and learning signs and things…There was just no way he could be as good as them when the first game was only a few weeks away.

He couldn't possibly even try to match their skill at the game. Which was yet another reason to add to the scale. So far, he still let the weight hang over not joining the team.

The thought that Mr. Kinder might actually be off his rocker to even think about suggesting Danny become a player made him laugh and feel loads better. At least now he had a few good excuses not to play.

He knew of course, he'd be teased a lot more, but he was used to that. Lately, Dash had been getting on his nerves, but…hey, he was getting a tiny bit better at defending himself…

"Yeah, three years later," he muttered to himself with a sigh. He couldn't bring his spirits any higher, even with the assurance that he really couldn't do it.

What could he do? He still had yet to find anything he was really good at. The only thing he'd really enjoyed was the idea of signing up for the space centre and even then, he had a slim chance at that happening. And it wasn't like he could just stay a superhero all his life, was it?

Doubts swarmed in his head about everything in his life. He hadn't even realized he'd gotten to his house until he was opening the front door. The cool air felt good against his skin, but he was suddenly too depressed to really enjoy it and slammed the door a bit harder than necessary.

"Mom? Dad, I'm--"

He stopped, his eyes widening as he saw them sitting down right on the couch—where Coach Kinder was also sitting.

"—home," he finished, now officially confused.

"Hey, son," Jack Fenton greeted excitedly. "How was school?"

"Strange," he said quietly, staring at Coach Kinder, who smiled at him, an innocent look on his face.

"Danny, I was just telling your parents what happened in gym today," he explained.

"Oh…" It was the only thing he could manage to get out of his mouth, but thousands of thoughts had suddenly exploded in his head again.

Maddie rushed over to him and wrapped him in a strong hug. "Sweetheart, that's absolutely great! Imagine, our son, a pitcher for the baseball team!"

Danny's gaze flickered over to Mr. Kinder. Apparently he hadn't told them the whole story yet. But his thoughts suddenly froze on Maddie and Jack's clear pride and shock—they actually liked it? They seemed so excited…What would telling them he'd said no do to them?

Disappoint them more, a voice muttered silently in his head.

He tried a smile. "Yeah," he said as his mother put a hand on his back.

"Your parents say you bowl pretty well," Mr. Kinder said. "One eighty average; that's impressive for someone your age."

"Thanks," he replied, unsure of what to say to that.

"Quite a boy you got there, Mr. and Mrs. Fenton," he said, standing on his feet. "With the right training and practice time, I think we could see a whole new sports star that the Casper team has been unfortunately missing for a while."

"What do you say Danny? Coach Kinder's offered to do a few private sessions to get you up with the other boys on the team," Maddie said, squeezing his arm in her hands as she smiled warmly.

"Umm…" He hesitated. Why disappoint his parents anymore? But face the baseball team now? Why did it have to be…now…?

Kinder seemed to notice and turned to the Fenton adults. "May I talk with Danny…alone for a few moments?"

"Certainly," Jack said. He clapped him on the back. "Great work son!"

"We'll be in the kitchen if you need us," Maddie agreed.

He watched as his parents left the room, chatting quietly and they grinned at him as they passed into the kitchen. He felt nauseous.

"Danny, please sit…" Danny nearly fell into the chair, slightly dazed. Kinder leaned forwards for his better attention. "I haven't told them your answer yet obviously. I was hoping…maybe I could change your mind."

"Mr. Kinder I don't think--"

"Coach, kiddo. Mr. Kinder makes me feel old," he said, taking no offense and giving him a smile.

"Coach," Danny said, the word unfamiliar on his lips. "I really, really appreciate your offer, but I've been thinking and I realize, I can't do this. Everyone on the team has played before obviously and I've never really played in my life. I'm not a runner and catching and hitting…" He trailed off hopelessly. "I can't do this."

"Danny…let me ask you a strange question," he said, setting his hands on his knees. "Do you ever not think?"

It was a strange question indeed. "What?"

"Stop everything going around your head for a while. No thoughts, no doubt, no worries. Just…no thinking."

"No."

"You should try it sometime; it'll get rid of that "I can't" thing you unfortunately seem to have," he blurted. "Kiddo, I'm not trying to pressure you into doing something you don't want…but the fact is, I saw you and I know you're capable of a lot more than you think."

"You saw me throw a lucky pitch. Who's to say that I'll do it again? This was…has to be a one time thing," he pointed out, hoping he didn't sound too much like Dash.

"I thought about that too. But…" Kinder sighed. "Kiddo, it's your choice. Would you at least think on it for a while? Or better yet, don't think." He stood up. "I'll give you until Monday, alright?"

Danny bit his lip and then swallowed. "Okay."

The coach handed him a small slip of paper and he examined it. "That's my number and address if you need to talk. My cell number's on the back."

He nodded. "T—thanks."

"Say thanks to your parents, would you?" he said, closing the door behind him.

Danny ran his hand through his jet black hair, feeling even more split than he had before. And no matter what he decided, either choice—he was doomed.

Hee hee…Surprisingly, this story (out of twenty eight chapters) probably only has about ten cliffhangers, so, I'm not going to be as evil as I usually am with some stories.

So, please R&R! Here's your sneak peek!

Chapter Three: A Little Persuasion

"If this is something you want to do, do it Danny. There's nothing and no one stopping you but yourself," she said.

"Sam…I can't do this…"

She hugged him tightly and then pulled away just as quick. "Danny…you have so much faith and trust in everyone else…why not yourself?"

Lateraina Wolf