Disclaimer: Still don't own DP (or everyone would know by now, since I'd scream it to the heavens).

Author's Note: Okay, this a short chapter, but before anyone runs me over in anger, there's an explanation for it: I had to cut it off here, or else the next chapter would be super-long, and since the next chapter is super-super-super-important, I didn't want anyone getting bored in the middle of it.

Oh! And the bad thing about anonymous reviews: I couldn't reply to o-flightless! I just wanted to say, OH MY GOD! FAN ART?! You've GOT to be kidding me! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE that! And actually, there's a teeny reference about Sam's outfit in this chapter, I was pretty much thinking any type of hospital gown as long as it's white.

Also, to any artists out there: I'm super jealous. Yours truly can't draw to save her life.

Chapter Four

-Notice: NO POV-

Danny appeared at the doorway of the girls' room, one hand clutching the door frame, his hair wind-blown and messy. "Uh, have any of you guys seen Sam?" He asked, brushing his floppy hair out of his face with his free hand.

The three girls looked guiltily at each other, then the empty bed. "No," said Kates, the closest to Sam's vacated bed, "not lately, but..."

"She must be around here somewhere," added Angie, following her sentence with a nervous laugh. "You know how these things go, we must always be on the grounds!"

"Have you looked by the pond?" Irene suggested. "Sam loves the pond."

"First place I looked." Danny sighed, searching the room as if for a clue as to where Sam might be. Surprisingly, he found one - a calendar. "SUNDAY! Today's Sunday, isn't it?"

The girls looked at each other. "Bit excited about a dumb old day," Angie mouthed, "isn't he?"

Kates glared back at Angie, fiercely throwing her the universal "Shush!" signal. "Uh, yes it is, Danny. Got some place to be?"

"Well, it's just - today's Visiting Day! Maybe Sam's visiting with someone!"

"Who the h-" Irene started, and then abruptly stopped after seeing Kate's warning glance. "Oh, uh...yes. Maybe."

Danny waved to the girls, called out, "Thanks!" (although they'd done nothing), and ran from the room, excited.

"He's just a tiny bit strange," remarked Angie, and the room fell silent.

--DP--

-Sam's POV-

"Your Danny boy's been looking for you," Angie told me the minute I returned from isolation. It had only been a week after all, and easy at that.

"What'd you tell him?" My eyes were narrowed, worried, even though I wasn't quite sure why Danny was special. He was just a friend, after all, and all my friends here knew everything about me - every last detail - of why I was here, what I had done here, and they didn't care a bit.

Angie shrugged. "That you were out, or you'd just stepped up a few flights to visit with Sandy and didn't want to be disturbed, or, you had wicked stomach cramps and couldn't be bothered to get out of the bathroom. That last one was a joke," Angie added, prompted by my intense glares, "cheer up. We didn't tell him anything."

I sighed, wandering over to my bed. It was cold, I'd been gone a week, and all the warmth had been sucked out if it. I'd been gone a week...had all of my friendship with Danny been sucked out of him, too?

--DP--

"Someone's here for you," Kates sang out, as I mentally groaned.

I hadn't told the others - they wouldn't understand - but I was not looking forward to seeing Danny. I just wasn't sure what would happen between us, since he most definitely must have guessed that I did belong here, in this crazy house. "Can't you tell him-"

"Sam! You have to see him, he's been waiting this whole week just for you to get out!"

"I know, but...please, tell him something!" I protested. Kates didn't get it, I just couldn't see him yet.

"It's okay, Sam. I won't bother you," Danny said, appearing in our doorway randomly, as was his custom.

Kates' mouth popped open, and she shot me a look. You have to talk to him now, it said. Don't be a jerk.

I moistened my lips and nodded a bit, stepping forward so I could speak to Danny. I knew what I would say, but he was already turning to leave. "Danny, don't go."

Not a totally-dramatic cliffie, I know. Hardly a cliffie worth mentioning, unless any of you are dying to know: Will Danny keep walking or turn around?! :O

Review! And, just for your information, I'd love to update before the end of this Monday (Labor Day in the USA, so I have it off). Originally I had this whole story written, but now I'm making small changes that I think you guys will really enjoy (I hope), such as expanding on Sam's back story. Before it was terrible, really - hardly a mention why she's in the place that she is.