AN: I do not own Danny Phantom. Butch Hartman does. Reviews are greatly appreciated and much needed. I can't make it better without your help 3

Chapter Three- Back to Work

Danny Phantom flew through a particularly large tree, the branches ripping at his suit. He tumbled to the ground and jumped up, shaking off the surprise attack. Walker and his goons surrounded Danny.

"Resisting arrest...that's against the rules. Get him!" Walker cried, pointing at Danny. The guards swarmed around Danny, shooting at him with their knight sticks. Danny dodged the blasts and took off into the sky. He turned and blasted some of the guards away before pulling out the Fenton Thermos.

"Sorry Walker, but the only one going anywhere is you!" Danny called before sucking some of the guards into the Thermos. Walker let out an angry growl and rushed at Danny. Danny quickly aimed the Thermos at him and sucked him inside before collecting the rest of the guards.

"I swear these guys are after me once a week." Danny sighed, floating down to Sam and Tucker.

"Maybe you should drop them off to your parents instead of releasing them into the Ghost Zone. That would teach Walker a lesson." Sam said, smirking.

"Oh yeah Sam. 'Here ya go Mr. and Mrs. Fenton. I stole your weapons but I brought you a crazy ghost warden and his guards. Bye bye!' My parents would suck me into the Thermos and I'd get tested too. I'd rather not." Danny said. Sam frowned.

"Hey, I was just making a suggestion. No need to snap at me." Sam said, folding her arms. Danny sighed.

"Sorry. I had a rough day." Danny said, sitting down.

"What's up dude?" Tucker asked, sitting next to him.

"I'm just tired and my parents are starting to ask questions. My mom saw all the bruises on my back and whatever and she's been on my case ever since. I can't tell her I've been fighting ghosts, but there isn't much else to pin it on." Danny said, laying down. Tucker nodded.

"Just tell your parents we've been playing football in gym or something." Sam said. Danny closed his eyes.

"I guess I could. They're going to find out eventually." Danny sighed. Sam and Tucker exchanged an anxious look.

"Danny if they're starting to ask questions...maybe you should tell them now." Tucker said. Danny shook his head.

"No. I'd rather not be the next thing on my mom's examination table." Danny said, running his hands through his hair.

"Danny I'm sure they won't try and do anything to you." Sam said. Danny stood up and snorted.

"Yeah right. You've heard them. 'When I get my hands on you, I'm going to rip you apart molecule by molecule!' I'll pass on that one." Danny sighed. Sam put a hand on his shoulder.

"Danny...they're your parents. I'm sure they'll understand." Sam said. Danny looked at her skeptically.

"What, like your parents understand the Goth thing?" Danny asked. Sam scowled.

"That is totally different Danny!" Sam cried.

"I'm going home." Danny said, taking off into the night.

"I'm worried about him Tucker." Sam said, watching him fly off.

"Me too Sam." Tucker said.

Danny laid on his blue bed, staring up at the ceiling. He felt horrible about arguing with Sam, but he just couldn't tell his parents. The weekend had been great, but now he was back to work, fighting ghosts, getting banged up, and hiding secrets. He rolled over and buried his face into his pillow. He didn't even move when he heard a gentle knock on his door.

"Danny, can I come in?" Jazz asked.

"Sure." Danny muttered, still not bothering to move.

"Danny you need to talk to Mom and Dad. They're worried sick about you. I'm not saying that you have to tell them about your powers, but at least come up with something to make them stop worrying so much." Jazz said, sitting on the bed. Danny sat up and looked at Jazz pleadingly.

"Jazz what am I supposed to do? Tell them I've been playing football?" Danny asked. Jazz smiled sympathetically.

"If that's what you feel will work, than yeah. It would explain the bruises. That's what Mom is really worried about. I mean, you've been keeping your grades up and all so that's not a problem any more, but you still need to talk to them." Jazz said, patting Danny's hair. Danny nodded.

"I know, I'm just worried that they'll find out." Danny sighed. Jazz pulled him into a gentle hug. Danny's head now rested on top of hers, instead of the other way around.

"You'll always be my little brother and if you need anything, just let me know. I know I've been busy with college and all, but I'm still here for you little brother." Jazz said before standing up.

"Thanks. Good night Jazz." Danny said.

"Night Danny." Jazz said, closing the door gently behind her. Danny sighed and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning Danny trudged into the kitchen wearing a black hoodie.

"Morning Danny." Maddie said, flipping over the eggs she was cooking.

"Morning." Danny said before heading over to the fridge and taking out the orange juice. He poured a tall glass and put the container back in the fridge next to the emergency ham before taking a sip.

"Did you sleep well?" Maddie asked, dropping two freshly cooked eggs onto a plate and handing them to Danny.

"Yeah...so Jazz told me you've been worried about me..." Danny said, sitting down at the table. Maddie looked at him and nodded.

"Your sister never seems to miss anything. I am worried Danny. I mean, I saw all of those bruises on your back and...well is anything going on you need to tell me about?" Maddie asked, sitting across from her son. Danny took a bite of egg and shook his head.

"You don't have to worry about the bruises. I've been playing football in gym and some of the guys are real jerks about it since they play for varsity. They think that touch football means tackle football. I'm fine though." Danny said, smiling at his mom. Maddie sighed in relief.

"Well I'm glad it isn't anything too serious. Maybe you should talk to your gym teacher about it though." Maddie suggested. Danny laughed.

"No, she loves it. She thinks it builds character." Danny said, finishing off his breakfast. Lying, after all, was in the job description.