A/N: Well, here we go! A short chapter…kind of. This is all Tuck and Valerie, really. :D I can't write a story completely without them. Now, some of you think the Amity Arc here is important. It…kind of is…but really, it's actually a lot of subtle buildup for "Crown of Fire." Regardless, don't forget that I have reasons for nearly everything I do. Never, ever forget that. All things have reasons. Also, to remind you: I have a forum for questions now! You can find a link to it on my profile.

…despite any rumors you may hear, I did NOT spend most of my morning/early-afternoon watching Dallon Weeke's vines and laughing like crazy. Nor was I contemplating the fact that the media never talks about the happy marriages…

As always, read/review/fav/follow and ENJOY!

Chapter #12: Respect

"Something is wrong, Val," Tucker frowns at his screen, "I haven't gotten a single e-mail from Danny. He and Sam were going to take pictures for me. He promised to show me that they were relaxing and enjoying themselves."

"If they're enjoying themselves, they probably forgot," she assuages.

"No," he growls, "Sam doesn't forget to take pictures, and Danny wouldn't forget to send them. Something's up, Val."

"Look, they're going to be fine, and when they get back and you've been panicking, you'll look like an idiot," she snorts, "Calm down, Babe, and let them enjoy their vacation."

"…do you think they've gotten some time alone?" he smirks, wiggling his eyebrows.

"…have they…?"

"…I think Danny probably would have told me."

"Why not? His parents are gone a lot…"

"He's been worried that the whole 'half-ghost' thing might affect him somehow," he shrugs, "I think he wants he and Sam to be a really confirmed deal before…risking anything."

"Right…" she coughs, "Well, either way, I'm sure they're enjoying themselves in other ways."

"Yeah," he replies, still unsure. He turns back to his computer screen – finally recovered from Technus' attack – and scans through the e-mails. More college offers, a few girls posting flirtatious comments on his Vine account despite knowing that he's in a relationship…

"That reminds me," Val comments, leaning over his shoulders, "You still haven't uploaded anything new for 'Mayor Tuck Thursdays'."

"It's my birthday," he snorts, "I think I have the right to take a post off."

"I was wondering if you'd forgotten," she smirks, "seeing as you're working just as hard today as you do every day…"

"Mayors don't get to take birthdays off. The internet, however, will survive without me," an explosion can be heard in the distance, and he sighs, "The town, on the other hand…"

"I'll go check it out, Babe," she pats his shoulder, "Call you if it isn't something I can sort out myself."

"Got it," he nods, pressing a button that opens a window and turning back to his paperwork.

She leaps into the air, feeling her suit snap into existence around her. She rockets away, towards the pillar of smoke. She won't tell Tucker, but she agrees that something is unusual. They may have grown closer together, being a couple now, but Tucker is still part of their group. It's not supposed to be just 'Danny and Sam'…the group isn't complete without Tucker.

The group of friends is simultaneously more cohesive and yet more distant than ever. That's the nature of a group that's expanded to have four people. Danny and Sam are one half, she and Tuck are another. They aren't together all the time anymore, often heading out for work or dates. In a way, it's how they're closer than ever; they don't need to spend all of their time together to prove that they're friends.

It's the nature of the world. Best friends grow up, and each head somewhere to accomplish their dreams. Maybe at different colleges, or different jobs, but it doesn't lessen their friendship.

Maddie Fenton stands at the edge of a small crater, looking up only as Valerie alights beside her.

"…a little concrete and spackle…" she mutters.

"Let's just hope we won't have to repair the entire town before Danny gets back," Valerie sighs, "What happened, anyway?" she glances around, her eyes locking on skid marks that appear not only on the road, but on the brick walls of surrounding buildings as well.

"Johnny Thirteen was just buying some flowers for his girlfriend," Maddie snorts, "The GIW went after him."

"I hope those government fools are willing to reimburse me for my shop!" the elderly shopkeeper glares at the interior of her shop, flowers and broken glass scattered around.

"Johnny was just…buying flowers?" Val inquires.

"Yes," she sniffs, "He parked outside like a perfect gentleman – left his shadow out there too – and asked for a bouquet that says 'I'm sorry and I promise I love you more than anyone', if I recall his words right. Then those idiots shoot through my window, send him crashing into my display case, and then he summons his shadow to protect himself as he gets to his bike and takes off."

"You were going to sell flowers to a ghost?" Maddie blinks.

"Hey, he has money!" she retorts, "What do I care if he has a pulse or not?"

"They have love lives too," Val reminds quietly, earning a sigh and nod from the scientist.

"Anyway, I want them to reimburse me for my property," the owner growls, "Think you can handle that, Huntress?"

"Yeah, I'll talk to them, and then bring them to Tu-the mayor if I have to. Remember to file a formal complaint as well."

"Of course," the older woman nods, stomping into her wrecked store, "just after I get my shop as safe as possible. With all these broken windows, I can't go leaving anything valuable here anymore!"

Val turns away, taking Maddie's arm, "Well, Tuck's going to be livid…" she turns back to the owner, "Hey…can I ask for a bouquet right now? Nothing special, just use whatever you have left. I'll pay you."

"What do you want to say?"

"Um…" she blushes behind her visor, "Just 'Happy Birthday'?" And I'm sorry that ghost hunters are ruining it?

"Sure. Bring those agents back to me, and you can have it for free. I want them to help me clean up, too!"

"Well, Mrs. Fenton, if you can handle things here…"

"Go get 'em…and tell Tuck I'll be bringing a cake over later. It's been chilling in my fridge all morning."

"Good, he needs a little birthday cheer. He's worrying about the convention, about the town, about Danny and Sam, heck, he worries about the future of ghosts as possible citizens of our nation!…he needs to think about himself every once in a while."

"What is it about our boys?" Maddie shakes her head with a sad smile, "The weight of the world on their shoulders before they even graduate high school."

"They're heroes," Val shrugs, summoning her sled again.

-BREAK-

"Did you not listen to the presentation at all?!" Tucker roars at the two white-clad agents. Their white suits are scuffed and stained, but he's activated a jammer in his office to prevent any requisitions for bleach.

"We are elite agents of the government, and we're demanding that we be allowed to return to our room to begin on the required forms and reports."

"I am not in the mood for your bureaucratic bull!" he retorts, slamming a hand on his desk, "And unless I want you to, you won't be contacting anyone!"

"In all due respect, kid–"

"Respect?! I'm the mayor! Not a 'kid'!" he snarls, fisting one hand into a white coat, "And I can guarantee that I know more about ghosts than your entire division, so when I tell you – and every other ghost hunter here – what not to do, I expect to be listened to, especially if I have your respect!"

"You are not authorized to put your hands on my suit–"

"I've tried being diplomatic, but apparently, it isn't working! So forgive me if I feel the need to get in your face!" he releases the coat with a small shove.

"We have been nothing but cooperative in helping Amity with its ghost problem–"

"Nobody called you here!" Tucker bellows, "Section Forty-Eight 'B' of your department's handbook states that agents cannot act without a direct request from the local police department, unless given direct permission by the president. You are out of your jurisdiction, and you're destroying my town!"

"A ghost was wandering around freely–"

"He was buying flowers for his girlfriend!" The pencil in his hand snaps, "You are being more of a menace than any ghost in town at the moment! You have no sign of malice – nothing! – to justify the destruction of private property!"

"If you will allow us to return to our rooms, we can requisition the required forms to inquire as to a payment to the woman whose shop was damaged."

"As well as some bleach," the other agent adds.

"Not until you help her sweep up the shattered glass and tiles," Tucker hisses, "As for Mrs. Marigold – the owner – she better get more than an inquiry in regards to compensation. I also expect a written apology from you and maybe even your superiors for your conduct," he turns to Val, who waits on the chaise, her face still obscured by her visor, "Take them back to the scene, and make sure all of their weapons are confiscated and placed in custody of the Fentons."

"Got it, Boss," he can hear her smirk.

"You don't have the right to–"

"You have proven yourselves incapable of using your weapons safely," Tucker growls, glaring into the shorter agent's eyes, "It's not my right, it's my duty to have them taken from you. Have fun, and hope the furious shop owner doesn't club you to death with her broom," he drops himself promptly back into his chair, pressing the button for the window again. Valerie cackles as she sweeps the two agents away, screaming in fear. Moments later, a small red light blinks on his phone.

He presses the button, "Yeah, Val?"

"That was really hot," she purrs, unheard by her passengers, "Nice way to take control. But then again, you're always in control, aren't you, Babe?"

"Almost," he grins back, "I almost lost it when you called me 'Boss', though."

"Mmm…" she hums, "I'll have to keep that in mind. See you at seven, Boss."