Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom.

How to be a Perfect Person

"C'mon Danny," Sam urged, "It's not like anyone would care."

Danny tried to laugh it off, "Thanks, but I'd better not."

"Sheesh!" Tucker exclaimed in disgust, "You've become a bigger stickler for to rules than Walker."

"I'm not stopping you," Danny protested.

"Yeah, but it wouldn't be any fun without you," Tucker complained.

"Maybe next time," Danny said, not meeting their eyes.

"Danny?" Sam asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Danny denied.

"Right," said Sam sarcastically.

"If it really bothers you, just forget it," Tucker offered.

"It's not that," Danny sighed.

"Then what?" demanded Sam.

"Something terrible will happen," Danny said miserably.

.

.

"What's going to happen?" Sam asked instinctively looking around for unseen dangers.

"I haven't got a clue," Danny shrugged. "But every time I bend the rules, even a little bit, something horrible happens."

Tucker laughed.

Danny found a sudden fascination with the floor tiles.

"For once I agree with Tucker," Sam said, "You've got to unbend a little every now and then."

"Seriously, Danny I think your exaggerating," Tucker said. "Even Lancer wouldn't give us a detention."

"Don't tell me you believe that you have to be perfect." Sam said incredulously, "You may have ghost powers, but you're still human."

.

.

Sam studied Danny's face. "Oh my gosh, you really think that don't you?"

Danny rubbed the back of his neck. "I knew you'd laugh," he muttered.

Sam instantly looked contrite. "Danny, everyone makes mistakes sometimes."

"Yeah, but my mistakes get punished way out of proportion," Danny complained.

"What are you talking about?" Tucker asked in bewilderment.

"Do you remember when we took the C.A.T and I cheated? Well if anyone else cheated, they would have been suspended or have a career at the Nasty Burger. But me? Everyone I love is killed, and my evil future self destroys the world."

.

.

"I agree that it's a bit of an overkill. Especially the part where I got killed," Tucker quipped, "but it was all concocted by Clockwork. It never really happened."

Danny turned his face away. "It felt real," he said quietly.

Tucker and Sam exchanged glances. "Okay but that doesn't happen all the time," Sam said soothingly.

"Yes it does. Like the time I got fed up with Dash stuffing me in a locker and I ended up trapped in Poindexter's bully nightmare," Danny reminded them. "Or when I got bummed about Christmas and the whole town ended up hating me."

.

.

Danny turned to glare on his friends. "Should I go on? Every time I mess up it seems the universe is just waiting to jump down my throat."

Sam patted Danny's shoulder comfortingly. "Even Karma, takes a break sometimes," she smiled.

"Not with me. Not ever," Danny insisted emphatically. "But that's not the worst of it. The real kicker is that it's not just me that takes the consequences. It's everyone else. How many times have my friends and family, Amity Park, or even the whole world and the ghost zone besides been in danger because of what I've done?"

.

.

"Danny you can't blame yourself for everything!" Sam said vehemently.

"A lot of stuff is caused by crazy ghosts or crazy Vlad. You've only been trying to stop it," Tucker added.

"And just how much would have happened if I'd done things differently? Vlad became the mayor because of my stupid pranks. How much would have been avoided if I never went into the portal in the first place?" Danny said with agitation.

"A lot of good things happened, too," Sam countered.

"That's beside the point," Danny waved it aside, "Whenever I mess up it comes back to bite us."

.

.

"That happens to everyone sometimes. You're taking this too far," Sam pleaded.

"How many times have you guys had to take the fall for things I've done?" Danny asked.

"You're not the only one who makes mistakes. We all do. You can't take the blame for everything," argued Sam.

"I don't know about you but I'm perfect!" Tucker declared with a grin.

"That explains why you can't get a date," Sam answered smugly.

Danny refused to smile at his friends' antics. "Thanks, but your mistakes don't end up destroying the world," Danny retorted. "Sorry, I just can't take the chance."

AN: Sorry this is late for Danny Angst Day. Thank you Sapphireswimming for reminding me.