I hope you guys still stick with me! I know I take forever…but in a month I'll be on Winter Vacation, and then I'll(try to) update WAY faster. So, enjoy!

Chapter 9: The Light in the Darkness

Tucker's eye twitched. His day had officially gone from shitty to shittier. How the fuck did it get this bad? He groaned, slapping his forehead. He leaned back into his bed and pinched the bridge of his nose, recalling what Sam had told him. So, now I have to go and warn Danny that her psycho mom wants to hold a damn meeting? Argh! And he has to find a way to go without his parents knowing…Damn it Sam! I already have to help Dash-A thought crossed his mind. It was pretty stupid, but it just might kill two birds with one stone. If this went as planned, it could give Dash a 'heroic' light(well, at least Danny wouldn't hate him), make sure Danny stayed out of trouble, and most importantly keep himself out of trouble. It's perfect. It…well, doesn't solve all my problems, but it certainly aids them…He grinned slyly before picking up his phone, hesitantly dialing the bully's number.

"Dash? I think I know how you can…well, make amends with Danny."

Danny sat with Jazz in his room, absentmindedly stirring his tea (after all, he was 'sick'). "And so…I don't know, from the park incident we became close friends. And the more time we spent together, the more I started to…like him." He blushed, still slightly uncomfortable being 'out'. Still, it's a relief to tell somebody… "He was really just trying to defend me from Dash, and…well, you know what happened from there." He finished, leaving out the part where Kwan had almost kissed him.

"And you felt you couldn't tell Lancer the reason of the fight." Jazz added quietly, sighing. "I guess it's reasonable because all of your reputations were on the line…" She pursed her lips. "Still-" She stopped when she caught sight of his face. "Never mind."

"Sorry, Jazz. But I couldn't have mom and dad finding out." He mumbled apologetically. "And I'm sorry that you have to lie for me…" Jazz slowly pulled him into an embrace.

"Oh, Danny. You know that family always stick together. Mom and dad will still love you. It…may take a while for them to recover from shock, but they will. And don't worry about the lying. You know I like to be rebellious every now and then." She pulled away and winked at him. "Oh! You're supposed to be sick…I guess I should be on my way. Get some rest, Danny. You need it." With that she got up and gently closed the door.

You don't know how much we worry about you, do you Danny? She sighed, making her way down the stairs. I just wish you trusted mom and dad…you're their only son. They're not going to abandon you just because of the gender you love…She paused, considering her father's reaction. Well, he might be a little upset at first, but I'm sure he'd get over it…She shook her head. I guess Danny's feelings are perfectly justified. Still! She stopped in the kitchen and pulled up a chair across from her mother, lacing her fingers in her lap.

"So, how's Danny doing?" She asked worriedly. "Does he need to go to the doctor? Does he need anything to eat-"

"Mom, he's fine." Jazz smiled, her fears melting away. She cares too much about him to let him go over something like that. "He only needs rest, I'm sure he'll be up in a few days." Well, whenever his suspension ends, I suppose.

Maddie visibly relaxed, though she still looked a bit uncertain. "Well, alright…in a few hours I'll check up on him though." She smiled and quietly excused herself and Jazz waited until she couldn't hear her mother's footsteps anymore before letting out a breath of relief.

I really can't believe how good I've become at lying…it's a little alarming.

Dash couldn't believe his luck. Who knew Manson would be useful? He mused. Well, I guess it's not really her…but rather, her mom. He grinned. But now the question is how the hell I'm gonna get outta my room to warn Danny? His eyes narrowed, his brain whirling, trying to think of any way to get out. After all, I'm grounded…and if I'm caught…I'll be in more trouble. Argh! Damn it all, I don't have much of a choice. Quickly, the jock opened his window and hastily jumped out, landing on all fours. That was a little higher than I anticipated. He groaned, shaking his wrists. At least nothing's broken or sprained. He started a slow jog After all, he wanted to get to Danny's house as quickly as possible, but at the same time he didn't know what he was going to say. I mean, I screwed up pretty badly. Okay, I totally fucked everything over. But…I don't know, if he likes me he should forgive me, right? He blushed at the last thought, and immediately regretted thinking it. Shit, I still don't even know what I am…maybe I should just let Kwan-At the thought of his friend's-Ex-friend-name. his anger quickly returned. No, fuck that. I'm not gonna give up Danny. Not after all this shit. He hadn't noticed that he had picked up speed to a full sprint. He was at Danny's house, though out of breath and sweaty.

Eww…I must look like shit. Ah, well. He'll just have to deal with it. He was about to knock on the door when a thought crossed his mind. His parents and sister probably don't wanna see me right now…maybe I should try to climb up to his room? He vaguely recalled Tucker giving instructions to get up to the second floor, and exactly where Danny's room was located. I guess he thought ahead. Good. Someone had to…He slowly made his away around the large building until he found the drain pipe. His room should be that window, if Foley gave me the right instructions…if not, I'm gonna have to kick some nerd ass. He carefully started to climb, waiting for the thing to give out. When it didn't, he continued up. When he got to his desired destination, he hesitantly looked in, and was glad to see that it was indeed Danny's room.

Said boy was sleeping uneasily, a small grimace marring his features. It was then that Dash noticed the dark purple rings under his eyes, how frail Danny truly was. It looks like this is the first time he's getting sleep in weeks…did I cause all of this? He felt guilt overwhelm him. Come one, Dash. You've gotten this far. He tapped on the window, lightly at first, but when the sleeping boy didn't respond slapped it, causing Danny to wake up. His eyes darted around the room, shifting first to his bedroom door, then to the actual source of the noise: the window. His eyes widened in recognition, and he hastily made his way over to the window. He stopped and hesitated, his hand withdrawing from the latch, however, he seemed to change his mind and opened it.

"Dash? What are… you doing here?"

Danny didn't know what he was dreaming about. It was swirling too fast for him to perceive what was happening. The only constant was Dash…but he was never…whole. In the swirl he would see flashes of the jock's eyes, his smile, his body. But just as he caught it was gone, only to be replaced by some other part of him. He didn't have a dizzying sensation, and he felt that it was somehow linked to Dash's presence. Dash is the only constant in my life…A sudden rapping caught his attention, but he paid it no attention. It wasn't until the rapping became louder did he realize he was dreaming.

His eyes shot open and he quickly pushed himself up, looking around for the source of the sound. He looked at the door; it was the most logical place. However, the knocking continued, and he concluded it wasn't coming from the door. Rather…it was coming from behind him. The window. What's so important that Tucker-he gasped when he saw it was Dash. D-Dash? He quickly got up and made his way to the window, only to hesitate. Do I really want to let him in? His hand paused at the latch. Do I…? He sighed, knowing the answer. I do. He unlatched the window and pushed it up, letting the taller teen in.

"Dash? What are you…doing here?" He asked uncertainly, biting his lip and looking down. Did you really want to see me…?

"Listen, Danny." He said softly. "I'm really sorry about…everything." He apologized softly. "I mean, I really screwed things up. And-"

"Yeah, you did." Danny replied icily.

"Yeah, that's why I'm saying sorry." He growled out.

"Do you expect me to just forgive you and move on?" Danny asked. Where's all of this anger coming from?

"That's-"

"What I'm supposed to so? Just…take all the shit you've put me through?" Danny laughed. And it looks like I've finally grown a spine… "Well, it doesn't work that way, Dash. If you came here looking for a way to get rid of your guilt, then forget it."

Dash looked livid. Danny felt fear run through him, but it was too late. He wasn't about to lay down and take that from Dash. I'm sick of it.

"I'm sick of it." He repeated out loud. "I'm sick of feeling this way about you." He looked down, feeling the tears build up. "I hate that I can't hate you…even after all of this." His shoulders shook as he cried, and he felt Dash coming closer. "Don't-just don't Dash." He backed away. "Please, just go."

Dash let out an angry sigh before making his way over to Danny and roughly pulled him into a hug. "Shut it, Fenton." He growled, smashing his body against Danny's. "I know, alright? I've been a fucking ass…and I know I don't deserve a chance. But please-"

A knock at the door cut Dash off. "Danny? Is everything okay in there?" Maddie asked. "Is someone in there with you?"

"Yes mom, everything's fine. And no, no one's in here." He hastily shoved Dash towards the window, wiping his tears away. "We'll talk later…I promise."

"Shit! Danny! I forgot to tell you…Sam's mom is gonna try and hold a meeting-make sure your parents don't answer the phone-" With that Danny pushed him out, watching him as he slid down the pipe. He sighed and made his way back to the door.

"See mom? No one's here…" He coughed, remembering he was supposed to be sick. "If you don't mind, I'm gonna go back to sleep." He yawned for effect, and Maddie ate it up.

"Alright, dear. Just remember, if you need anything, just ask." She kissed his forehead, and tucked him back into bed. "Get some rest, honey." She walked out of the room and gently closed the door behind her. Danny turned, his body now facing the window.

Sam's mom is gonna try to call…I wonder how Dash knows? Is he lying? Well, I guess I can't take that chance. He pulled out his phone and texted Jazz.

Jazz, answer the phone at all times. DON'T let mom or dad answer. Sam's mom is trying…something, I don't know what. Please and thank you.

Love,

Danny

He frowned at the message. She does so much for me…I wonder when she'll get fed up and stop? He shook his head and quickly sent the message. She's stuck with me this far…I don't think she'll be leaving me anytime soon. Right? He sighed and closed his eyes. Just stop, STOP it. Everything doesn't have to always be negative.

He allowed a ghost of a smile to cross his lips. After all…Dash visited me today…he hugged me.

Sorry for the long wait! The story is really coming to an end! Only two more chapters, I think…review, please?