Welcome to chapter 7! I would have finished this chapter a long time ago if a certain saga hadn't popped up. But won't you say I'm moving at a wonderful speed? I wasn't so happy about the review turn-out for the last chapter but, hey, I now have 50 reviews!

Thanks to the following reviewers: that 1 flower girl, bloodmoon13,magma823, ShortSweet'NToThePoint, Alexia Moonlight.

Chapter 7: What's Good for You May Be What's Best

Disclaimer: I don't own Danny Phantom, ok! Do you have any idea how many nights I sit up wondering…WHY!!!?? Why can't I own Danny? Lol! Read on!

2 DAYS LATER: MONDAY

The doorbell rang and Sam quizzically raised an eyebrow at the sound. Who could it possibly be? Why hadn't the intercom being used? She silently crept down the stairs, her combat boots making no sound as she headed for the door. She tipped and peered through the little peep hole, a one way mirror. Her heartbeat doubled as she saw the familiar person. Long black hair caught in a ponytail, pale skin and ice blue eyes looking directly at her. She stood, flat-footed, wondering if she should open the door and let him in or open the door then slam it in his face.

'Sam, I know you're there, answer the door,' his voice said in her head. She freaked. What was he doing in her head? Without another thought, she unlocked the door and swung it open, amethyst connecting with icy blue.

"Oh…umm…hi," he said, hands in pocket.

"And bye," Sam drew it out as she slammed the door, right in his face. She barely got to smile before he walked right through the door.

"Really unfair," she mumbled.

"All you have to do is listen to me, please. I'm not here to fight with you anymore," he said, placing his hands on her shoulders. She shrugged him off and stepped back, folding her arms. His hands didn't stay idle. One moved to the back of his head, scratching it, the other returning to his pocket.

"So," Sam said brusquely, "spill it. What the hell are you doing here? You didn't even use the intercom." Sam's voice was surprisingly calm, or at least not as sharp as he had expected.

"Face it, Sam. If I had used the intercom, you'd never let me in so I decided not…to use it," he finished poorly.

"I didn't let you in, Danny. You walked right through my door," she said, almost grinding her teeth with the need to restrain herself.

"Ok, so you didn't actually let me in, but you're listening to me now, aren't you? I'm sure that if I had used the intercom you would have ignored me and then I would still come, right through your door…again, and then you would have been even more upset," he explained, grabbing at straws.

"How wrong you are Daniel Fenton. I am even angrier now than I would have been if you had done the correct thing! I am absolutely furious!" She yelled under her breath, trying not to alert her children.

"Then I guess I thought about it wrong," he said apologetically.

"You guess you thought wrong? You guess? You are wrong! How dare you barge onto Ben's property without a heads up? You do know I have children here, right?" She flung her words at him in almost silent fury. He heard the emphasis on 'Ben' and he knew he wasn't getting off easy. He couldn't blame her for that.

"Yes," he said, nodding to reinforce it.

"And you do know that I'm responsible for their safety, right?" He nodded again, unable to mutter a yes.

"Then you have no excuse to have not used the intercom, "she finished up, he hoped, harshly. He opened his mouth to say something, to defend himself, but nothing came out. He knew why. He couldn't defend himself when he knew that what he had done was wrong. Sam stood, eyebrow cocked and ears listening, waiting for him to say something.

"I'm sorry. That's what I came here to say. Just blame me for everything so that we can continue with life…please," he said. Sam's temper subsided and she realized that she had already forgiven him, as he had obviously forgiven her.

"You want me to blame you for everything?" She asked, pointing at herself then him. He smiled, brilliantly.

"Yes, you're on the right track," he said.

"Never gonna happen," she said, shaking her head. Danny felt deflated. He stared at her, wide-eyed.

"Why not? This is every woman's dream! For her lover to tell her she was completely correct and she can blame him for everything that happened," he said, voice frantic as he threw his hands into the air. Sam almost laughed. Why not have a little fun with him?

"Because I am not irresponsible and I'm old enough to take corrections and accept consequences which result from my actions. We are both a part of this problem and if you intend for it to be fixed, then it must be done properly," she said.

"You are being so stubborn" he muttered, trying to reign in control.

"You didn't think so couple days back. If my memory still works then I think you thought quite the opposite of me being stubborn. What about loving someone just the way they are?" She asked, the "L" word cutting her, slicing through her. She blinked back the pain. If he had really loved her, he would never have thought to tell her what he did a few days back. But no one was perfect and she had already forgiven him. Danny went silent for a while and blew a few wisps of his hair from his face, settling with both hands in his pockets. For a while he stared at the floor, making Sam anxious to hear what he would say in his defense. He looked up at her and her heart almost stopped. He looked up at her through his long, dark lashes and Sam could see his maturity for the first time. It was as if she had seen Danny truly serious. A seriousness that was not derived from worry, just plain, true seriousness, with a dose of honesty.

"I do love you, Sam. Even your faults. Hell, you don't have any faults. I don't see any," he said. This caught her off guard for a moment. Was he telling the truth? Did he really think she was perfect?

"I shouldn't have said that, I'm sorry," she said, realizing the awkward situation she had put them in. She hadn't meant to bring up love, of all things.

"You're right and it's not because you're going against your decision apropos to me," he said, stepping a bit closer. It was barely noticeable.

"I don't blame you for saying that. You have all right to doubt what I feel for you, Sam. I mean, what I said to you was unforgiveable and I really can't believe you're actually talking to me. Showing me that you've forgiven me, for a while now, I hope. I love you and…and…I don't deserve you. I don't deserve someone as beautiful and strong and true as you. Someone who has better control over herself than I do. Ahh, I think I better go. I can't…I can't do this…" he said. He turned painful eyes on her and she put her hand out to hold onto his. He spun around at the contact.

"Are you serious?" She asked. He had been trying to apologize, but it seemed he didn't know exactly how to explain his jumbled thoughts.

"Why wouldn't I be?" He asked, question signs in his eyes.

"It seems you're trying to trick me. Where did you get the idea from that you don't deserve me. How much dumber can you get?" She asked, not with conviction, but with a welcoming tone as she intertwined their fingers. Danny turned to face her. He smiled.

"Well, I'm not sure up to now what I should say, so I just said something from the top of my head. I've been watching a lot of mopey love movies recently," he said. Sam smirked and looked up at him. She could feel him pulling her closer to his body. It felt good.

"And it so happened to be the dumbest thing you could find," she snorted good-naturedly. He blushed.

"Yeah, you've got it pretty right," he said. His hand came to rest of her fish-stockinged thigh. Sam couldn't help herself from running her hands over his. She gently felt the familiar contours of his biceps. He gently pushed her against a wall and his lips pressed against her neck. She flexed her neck to make it more available. He continued working on her neck, intent of leaving a reminder of himself on her tanned skin. She raised her leg to his side and he held on to it. She hooked it around him, squashing him into her chest. He laughed into her neck.

"We should probably stop," she said, sweetly gasping for breath. It was amazing what feelings he could stir in her.

"Probably," his husky voice floated to her ears. It was undeniably sexy and she knew she didn't have the willpower to resist it. Yet, she had to. They were making out at her front door and her children where to come barging down the stairs at any minute. His hand moved up her thigh and she smiled. It stopped at her hip for a moment and was threatening to go somewhere else when it happened. The kids came barging down the stairs. Danny pulled away immediately and clumsily. He almost fell as he pushed away from Sam, trying to compose himself. She didn't overreact. She was used to pretending. Danny stepped back some and Shaire spotted him.

"Daddy!" He yelled. He ran down the stairs and managed to launch himself into Danny's arms. Sam almost collapsed. Shaire threw his arms around Danny's neck, squeezing him into a hug. Danny beamed as he held his seven year old in his arms. Sam was still dizzy. Had Shai really called him 'daddy'? It was unbelievable and impossible. She shook her head clear and came to the conclusion that she had been hallucinating. Zoey came hop, hopping down the steps. She looked up from pulling on a boot.

"Danny!" She exclaimed, eyes bright and smile wide.

"Hey Zoe!" He said. She pulled up her boot and hurriedly descended the stairs. She gave him a big hug, with Shaire still in Danny's arms.

"What a pleasure it is to see you both this morning, well, you three this morning," he said, smiling courteously at Sam. Her eyes roamed the room and she felt the slight beginnings of a blush.

"Maybe we should get going, so you guys aren't too late for school," Sam said, placing her hand on the door, trying to hurry them out.

"So, you excited for your first day of school?" Danny asked as he placed Shaire on the ground. The little boy quickly placed his hands in Danny's. So did Zoey. They walked off, all three, to Sam's car. The hold that Sam had on the door changed from a hurrying gesture to a form of support. She was still slightly dizzy and a question hung over her head. Daddy? The car horn blew loudly, rocking Sam out of her head.

"What…how..huh?" She asked herself as she searched the pockets of her miniskirt for her car keys. They were gone. Sam rolled her eyes and left the house, slamming the door shut behind her. There was only one person responsible…Zoey.

AT ZOEY'S SCHOOL

Sam pulled up in front of the school yard, all the normal bustling over with. They were very late. Sam could even see some of the students glance through the windows to see who was waiting in the car.

"I am going to talk to the principal about why Zoey's late. I'll be right back," Sam told Danny who was sitting in the passenger's seat. She slid off her seatbelt and pushed the car door open.

"In that?" He asked, bringing attention to her huge combat boots, plaid miniskirt with black fishnet stockings and a graphic tee which hugged her breasts reasonably well and also showed a bit of stomach.

"I think mommy looks nice," Shaire said.

"Stop being a pervert," Danny turned to his son.

"What's a pervert?" Shaire asked as he leaned forward in his seat, seatbelt stretching. Sam didn't wait to hear the answer; she stepped out and slammed the door. She ran her fingers through her long hair and slid on a pair of shades.

"You look awesome, Sam," Zoey said, appraising her mother. Both started to walk toward the building.

"I haven't dressed like this in ages!" Sam exclaimed, spinning around happily.

"No wonder I've never seen you like this before. Ben should fall down the stairs more often," Zoey said.

"Yeah, I totally agree. I'll have to talk to him about that," Sam smiled, understanding her own, personal joke.

"Hold up. Stop," Zoey ordered. Sam halted just a few steps in front of Zoey. She turned to the 14 year old and lowered her shades so as to look directly at her.

"You trying to tell me you wanna ditch school?" Sam asked.

"Huh? No! I just want to know how things are between you and Danny," Zoey said.

"Oh," Sam said, "…I'm just…confused," she added, pulling her sunglasses back on.

"About what?" Zoey asked, concerned.

"I know I have to choose. I have to choose Ben, but Danny is so irresistible. I can't leave him alone. One minute I think that yes, I don't want Danny in my life anymore. I'll tell him to leave and never come back, like he was supposed to. But, when I see him I just want to hold him in my arms. Just let him know that I've never wanted anyone like how I've wanted him. It's really hard for me. I have to choose between what's good for me and what's best for me. Do you see the trouble I'm in?" Sam asked, her brows shaping out the emotion of confusion mixed with frustration. Zoey remained silent for a while, thinking about what she should say to Sam.

"We don't have time now to discuss this, but I promise when we get home, it'll be the first thing we talk about ok?"

"I know, I know. Ok," Sam said.

"But think about this for a while Sam. What is what's good for you is the best thing for you?" Zoey asked. Sam's mouth remained closed. She didn't agree with Zoey but it was nice to entertain that thought.

"Let's get you to the principal to explain your lateness," Sam sighed, unable to say anything else about the topic.

"I won't get in trouble you know. And if you're so worried then you can call them or something. Not that it's embarrassing that my mom dropped me off. I think my mom is cool," Zoey smiled up at Sam.

"Stop buttering me up and get to your class. They'll call me in time," Sam said, sending Zoey off with a little push. Zoey ran off, waving shortly to Sam

"Bye," Sam mouthed as Zoey disappeared through the front doors. Sam twirled around and headed back to her car. She swung the driver's door open and slid onto the seat with very fluid movements. She turned her head to glance at Shaire. His eyes widened and he covered his face. Sam glanced quizzically at Danny. Danny glanced around at Shaire.

"You can look, but you can't let her feel like you're undressing her," he told Shaire. Shaire peeked at Sam and very slowly removed his fingers. He grinned at them both.

"I knew that. Told ya I was grown up. Mommy, daddy told me what a pervert is. I'm never gonna be one of those," the boy said, eyes going wide with 'those'. Sam's hand tightened on the wheel and she glared at Danny. He narrowed her eyes at her. He wasn't opposed to Shaire calling him that. She was sure this time that she had heard him say "daddy".

"Good, because you're going to need that strong willpower when you become a teenager," Sam said and drove off, her thoughts cutting off everything that was said after that.

"Sam. Sam! HEY SAM!" Danny yelled at her. She very smoothly stepped out of her mind and turned to Danny who was now knocking on her window from outside. They had arrived at Shaire's new school. Sam immediately left the car, locking it then looking at the school. The name of the school was announced like the name of any normal school, by the name being engraved at the very front in big letters, for the whole world to see.

"Dewire Elementary School," she read the words to herself. She was in a slight shock. Shaire was going to school. He would be in the third grade. He wouldn't be close to her all day anymore. She dismissed her thoughts and examined the school, again. It hadn't changed since she'd visited it the week before. It was flat and wide, the most fitting description Sam could come up with. It was just a one-storey building which spread over the huge expanse of land. At the front stood swing-sets, monkey bars and the works. The main door leading to the entire school was covered in handprints and footprints made from paint. It was a friendly environment. She turned to glance at Danny.

"Yeah, I'm coming with you. Did you seriously think I was going to miss his first day of school?" Danny asked, rhetorically.

"Then, let's go," Sam said and they all set off, Shaire chattering the entire way. The office wasn't so hard to find. On the clear glass door was a sign that read "THE OFFICE" in big painted letters. On either side it was boxed it with two handprints. Sam pushed the door open and stepped in, Shaire and Danny following. It was the secretary who greeted them, and he sent them to the principal. After a few minutes in the office, Sam and Danny watched their little boy begin his first day of school.

"I wish I could go with him," Sam said. She felt Danny hold onto her hand, supportively.

"Sure you would…but think about how embarrassing that would be," he said. Sam smiled and tugged her hand from his. She turned to walk away. Danny took four strides to pull up next to her, taking her hand in his now.

"What are you going to do now, Mrs. Nichols?" He whispered, his voice extremely close to her ear. His surprisingly ice cold breath wrapped itself comfortably around Sam's ear. She tried not to enjoy it, but it was impossible.

"I don't know, probably go somewhere and be rebellious," she said, grasping Danny's hand. He smiled and she could hear it somehow.

"Perfect. I have just the right place to be rebellious…plus, I have someone for you to meet," he said, his voice closer. Sam turned her head to look at him and his lips brushed against her forehead. She almost jumped. Was he that close to her? She couldn't help but look into his eyes, so alluring, and think that he was just right. So right that he was beyond perfect. And very soon she would have to make a clear choice, never going back on it. She was suddenly confused. If Ben had been the less favourable, yet smarter choice, why had she pushed him down the stairs? He would never forgive her. Not that she wanted him to; she would probably never forgive him for his errors. She was doing it all wrong. Her confusion was blocking out her logic.

"Where are we going?" She asked, noticing too that not only confusion could block out logic. Just Danny's perfect face, the feel of his hands in hers, the way he said her name and the love she knew he had for her. A love that was more radiant than diamonds, and as forbidden as immortality.

"Somewhere, we're going somewhere. But don't worry, I'll give you directions since you're driving and all," he smiled as his face came a little closer to hers. His succulent lips were no more than an inch away. Sam turned away, desire castigating her.

"I'll be listening to your every word. I have no need to get lost today."

Ok, I admit this chapter was boring, but, it's important. Also, don't think Zoey is in here for no reason. I know why I made her afraid of ghosts and man, the climax is when Ben gets back. I can't wait! Lol! I know, I know, you all hate him, but I have big plans for Benny!! Muahahahahaaaaa! Ha!! And please…PLEASE tell me if I slip up. For example, in earlier chapters I say someone's name is Kate, then I start calling her Katherine. Please tell me!!!!