A/N: Hi, y'all! How are ya? I hope you all are well and defrosting! It was actually nice today, sunny and warm, like the ol' South that I know and love. But—and I still can't believe it-we're supposed to get another cold spell soon! Will spring EVER come? But, speaking of cold spells, looks like that's right up this chapter's alley. Lots of turmoil is now coming up. You know that love often means heartache. So, hope y'all stick with me. Remember the IDNOAC thing and here is Chapter 29. Enjoy!

TrueHeart—Chapter 29—Mounting Turmoil

The next few days dragged on for Tucker, and Valerie. Neither of them could sleep well at all. But, now, they were not the only ones. Because of their worry over Tucker, Danny and Sam were also losing sleep.

Tucker was especially miserable. He felt drained all the time—'thanks' to his decision to break up with Valerie and to Bertrand siphoning off his pheromones these last few days. He had a hard time focusing in and out of school, and had absolutely no appetite.

Even when the three best friends finally got the chance to be alone together, and Danny and Sam finally could try to talk to Tucker, they couldn't say the right words to cheer up their friend. All Danny and Sam could do, then, was try to steer clear of Valerie for his sake; and in the meantime, offer him some type of support, even if it were in awkward silence.

In all that while, when the unnatural lull among the three of them crept uncomfortably up the others' back, Danny and Sam were secretly waiting and hoping that their friend would finally talk it all out and break the dismal spell that separated them. But, so far, he wouldn't.

In fact, Tucker was so upset, he hadn't even thought about talking about it to anyone—his friends, his parents, or even to himself. He really didn't know how. And at this point, he didn't want to know how. If he did, he just knew he'd totally lose it, and crash head first right into a vortex of unending despair. But really, with Bertrand's diligent harvesting of the boy's misery pheromones making him more miserable, Tucker was heading for that crash anyhow.

So, most of the time, lately, that cloud of silent gloom hovering over the three best friends whenever they were together seemed to have become the norm. Definitely not at all what they wanted; but they also didn't want to pressure the others to change it, though Danny and Sam were growing more concerned over Tucker as the days ebbed away. And it didn't help matters when that started to rub their own nerves raw.

As for Valerie, she was even more upset than she thought she would be. But she also was extremely tired all the time. She didn't know, of course, that Bertrand was keeping close to her as well, having a field day collecting her misery. Still, she couldn't understand why Tucker would break off their budding relationship over her being the 'Red Huntress'.

While she got ready for work after another emotionally draining day at school, ignored by Tucker and his friends—again—she tried to think it through. "I just don't get it!" she grumbled as she brushed her hair. "I didn't think that Tucker would get that bent out-of-shape over all of this! After all, he's not particularly 'anti-ghost hunting' himself. He hangs around Danny, and Danny's parents hunt ghosts. I thought he would be excited to see that I love to hunt ghosts, too….but then again, I thought Tucker was different, special."

She jolted with that thought. He had become—was—-special…to her. She felt her heart burn as she continued talking out loud to herself, "He was always so understanding before, why not now? What's the big deal, anyway? I thought this time it would be just as easy for him to understand and that he would roll with it." She paused at that thought before adding with irritation in her voice, "Maybe I thought wrong!"

She quickly and angrily wiped the tears that had begun to escape her eyes. "Well, I can roll with it, too, Tucker Foley! I don't need you! I don't need anybody! I was doing just fine before you butted into my life!"

She startled with that train of thought. What she just felt just now was exactly how she felt whenever she thought about that blasted Ghost Kid! She grew angrier. That jerk of a ghost had even managed to butt into her thoughts right now of all times! She unconsciously growled in hatred and threw the brush she still had in her hands at the mirror in front of her, shattering it.

"Valerie!" her father yelled upon hearing the crash. He quickly went to his daughter's room. He saw the broken mirror and his daughter's flushed face when he came in. But he didn't get mad at all. He knew all along that something was very wrong; and he hadn't seen Tucker for a while now. He hadn't said anything, waiting for Valerie to approach him.

And apparently, she indirectly did. They stood there a moment, not sure of what to do. But then, her father quietly asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Valerie said nothing at first, but an instant later, she threw herself into her father's arms and wailed, "Oh, Daddy!" before burying her face into his chest and letting herself bawl.

Damon stood helpless, holding his daughter as she cried her heart out. He swallowed hard. This was very serious. He grew angry, wondering what Tucker had done to his baby girl that had caused such anguish in her.

Finally, Valerie's sobs slowed and she pulled gently away from her father. She then pulled the tears away from her face, and still sniffling, said, "You were right, Daddy. I shouldn't have told Tucker, Danny, and Sam about my secret. It was a total disaster!" She stopped and heaved a heavy sigh and pushed another tear away. She tried to steel herself so she could break the news to her father. "And now….now Tucker…has broken up with me, all because of that stupid thing that I did. Oh, why didn't I listen to you?" She felt her lower lip quiver and her father gently pushed away the tear-soaked hair that had fallen into her still tear-heavy eyes.

He looked down at her and swallowed hard. It no longer mattered to him that he had been right about not wanting her to reveal her secret like she did. She was hurting too much. He softly said, "I don't think it was a stupid thing that you did. I thought it was very brave of you to do that. Taking risks with friends is, well, very risky. And that takes guts to take that jump, especially when you wanted to be totally honest with them. But, sometimes, things backfire. And you've placed yourself wide open to get hurt. That doesn't mean that what you did was wrong, just that your friends weren't ready for it. Give them time, and they'll come around."

"But they won't even look at me, much less talk to me! None of them will! Especially Tucker!" she objected, feeling the watery pressure around her eyes again. She hugged him tightly once more.

Damon unconsciously bit his lower lip. She was very upset and very serious. It was times like this that he wished her mother were here. But, of course, that wasn't possible. He felt a lump in his own throat at the thought and unconsciously looked up to the heavens.

"Help me help her, Livia!" he found his lips silently saying to his long-dead wife. He felt a single tear run down his face as he said her name. He thought that time would have prevented that tear from happening by now, but obviously not. "I've done my best to rear her since we…lost you in that horrible accident, but I don't think I'm being much help to her right now. She has never gotten over the pain about that, even when she refused to think that it was that drunk driver who was responsible for ripping you out of our lives. I could never convince her that it wasn't her fault."

"But our baby always felt responsible. She always said that if only she had not given you a hard time about going with you to the store, if she hadn't delayed you, you would still be here. For crying out loud, Livia, she was only ten! Tell me what to do, please!"

He coughed a little as moisture slipped down the back of his throat. Valerie pulled away when he did and when she saw how upset he was, she softly said, "Daddy, are you OK?"

"Yes, Baby," he said, knowing he had to be strong for her. "I was…was thinking about how much I love you and I somehow feel that this will all work out in the end. And I know I've given Tucker a hard time, but I really like him. And I think he'll come around in the end, too. Just let him cool a bit, and I'm sure he'll realize that you are as special as I think you are! And even if he doesn't, it'll be his loss." He smiled weakly after that statement. He hoped he hadn't screwed it up too badly.

"Thank you, Daddy," Valerie quietly said, giving him a quick peck on the cheek this time. "I hope you're right that Tucker will come around. I…I don't know what I'll do if he doesn't, because I…I think…I love him.

"I know, Baby," he quietly said, and the way he said it, Valerie just knew he wasn't humoring her in the least, or thinking she was being childish about how she felt. But it also didn't occur to her that he had noticed the change in her recently: that ever since she started seeing Tucker, she was less edgy. Even happier. That she seemed to walk a little lighter and smiled more readily, even laughing right away at his lame jokes, instead of rolling her eyes and groaning like she usually did before. And that could only have meant one thing….

"Well, I'm alright now, Daddy. I better get to work, or I'll be late," she said with a weak smile, brushing away the last insistent tear.

She gave him another long hug after that and he silently mouthed a "Thank you!" to the heavens.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Another restless night came and went for the three best friends—and Valerie.

The next morning, Danny and Sam walked in autopilot to their friend's house. Tucker's depression was starting to rub off on them—big time—- especially when they couldn't mollify him in the least. They simply didn't know what to do for him. Even when they did their best to be a little cheerful and supportive whenever all three were together, nothing seemed to help. And that made Danny and Sam edgy as well.

It didn't help that those once-seemingly-insignificant rumors at school were now a steady undercurrent, compliments of Bertrand. Sam was just plain annoyed with it, but it was beginning to gnaw at Danny.

He was having a harder time ignoring the rumors, especially when they were increasing and getting more vocal around him. Why would such rumors persist? Why should all those kids care a fig about them? But what concerned him more was that these rumors hadn't been about any other 'Sam' but his. Why? He tried to push the thoughts away, but underneath, something clung and started to take root in him.

So, with all the worry about Tucker's dilemma and Bertrand's rumors, Danny and Sam hadn't even realized that they had begun to pick at each other for the littlest things. Each time, however, when they did finally realize that they were, they quickly apologized to the other. Still, it didn't ease the tension between the two of them.

As they walked along, Sam did think it helped a little that they were no longer meeting up with Valerie. But still, with all the stress they were all dealing with lately, it seemed to be getting colder outside; and she pulled her jacket closer.

Finally, they arrived at Tucker's house and were surprised when Tucker's mother stepped out.

"I'm sorry, Sam and Danny, but Tucker's not going to school today. He's just not feeling well at all," the woman said.

"Thanks for telling us, Mrs. Foley," Danny replied, frowning a bit in worry. "Would you tell him that we'll get his homework for him?"

"And that he can call us later if he needs anything?" Sam piped in.

Mrs. Foley nodded appreciatively. "Of course, I will. Good-bye and have a good day."

They waved to their friend's mother just before they resumed their walk. But then, suddenly, Danny gave his girlfriend a smirk as he flippantly said, "Nice. So, is Tucker on your 'On My Good Side' list now?"

Without skipping a beat, Sam tersely replied, "And what was that supposed to mean? Just because its absolutely cold out here, doesn't mean that I am!" But when she snapped at him, she hadn't realized that she currently sounded cold, had pulled her hand out of his, and stopped dead in her tracks.

Danny looked a bit taken aback by her sudden defensiveness. This wasn't like her and normally, he would have tried to calm her right away. But since he was as much out of sorts as she was right now, he reflexively shot back, "Well, you could fool me. You're making my central core look hot compared to that remark."

"Oh, is that so? Well, you should know all about being the cold one around here," she snapped back.

She then gasped. What was she saying? She didn't mean any of that.

But her gasp was all they both needed to make them come to their senses. They were picking at each other again—all because of the stress they were definitely feeling over Tucker, their lack of sleep, and all those rumors.

They blinked at each other at the realization.

Then Sam frowned in remorse before stuttering her response, "I-I…"

But Danny interrupted her once he saw the change in her face. He knew what she was feeling. With a weak, but sorry, smile, he replied, "I'm sorry, too, Sam. I guess I did kind of start it. And I didn't mean it like that. I just thought that since you've been off-and-on about getting angry with Tucker, that it was nice to hear that you're not upset with him anymore." He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze as he said that.

She returned his weak smile, but didn't answer him. Instead, she squeezed his hand back. But that only made her feel slightly better. And now she was even more aware on how cold it was, and shivered.

Nevertheless, they continued on to Casper High in silence.

xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Meanwhile, Spectra was getting more anxious to put her plan into full motion. And she now wished she hadn't let Bertrand change her mind. Just why she had given in to Bertrand's insisting that they harvest all the ready-to-pick pheromones right in their reach during these past few days was beyond her. All that did was delay things more, especially when Bertrand had to get more receptacles now that the others were full from all that he had gotten from Tucker and Valerie.

But, of course, both of the ghosts were as greedy as they were impatient; and Spectra growled with both. She tried to quell her mounting hunger with other thoughts.

Sure, so far, the goods already delivered by Bertrand did the job, and she was as radiant as ever. And there were even some left over for later. And, really, stocking up was better insurance than having nothing. The shadow ghost wouldn't admit it to Bertrand, but she was pleased that Tucker and Valerie's accidental contributions to her cause were desirable and effective. But she knew these doses were still only temporary; and she wanted some of the stuff that would last almost indefinitely. And that stuff was what they would get from Danny Phantom.

Finally, the time to move on their real agenda was already way past in being right in Spectra's mind. She insisted that they had gotten enough of the Geek Boy's and his ex-girl's pheromones and it was time to get to the real meat.

This time, Bertrand agreed, since he knew that once those two teens finally got over their relationship, the well would dry up. Fortunately, he hadn't forgotten about the much deeper and richer well that was almost ready for dipping.

So, now that they were in total agreement, Spectra and Bertrand quickly headed out to the school with the two caged ghost animals in tow. But they were only going to use one of them in the first part of their scheme right now. And that would be Sarah.

Not that they hadn't planned on using her first all along. They had. But they also had plans for her husband. Right now, he was their insurance to keep Sarah in line. And right now, they had the assurance that Derek would definitely not be a hindrance to that—by knocking him out, complements of Spectra's power rays. The evil couple made sure that Sarah had seen Spectra's unprovoked attack on her husband just before they left in order to undoubtedly instill fear in the dove for her husband's safety.

And it worked.

The young dove trembled, frightful not only for her husband's well-being, but also of what the shadow ghost had planned for her to do. She had no choice, after all. She still had not been able to pry the bars of her own cage open enough to squeeze through the hole she had started. She was at least thankful that the hole was nearest the bottom of the cage and that she still was able to successfully hide her work with bedding that was in the cage.

Nevertheless, when she could see that those two evil ghosts were almost ready to go, the ghost dove braved her plea, "Please, Mistress Spectra, will you please show us mercy and let us go? If you do, we swear we will tell no one of this and will never bother you again."

At first, Spectra ignored the ghost animal, and Sarah quivered in worry.

Instead, Spectra turned to Bertrand and said, "We have plenty of that masking stuff, don't we?"

"Yes, plenty for now. But we have to use it sparingly."

This time, Spectra huffed slightly before redirecting her gaze to the still shivering dove. Her face contorted to a wicked scowl and Sarah recoiled at the evil, almost swearing that it was actually buffeting her.

Spectra hissed through her fangs, "You are in no position to bargain! You will do exactly what I say or your dear little insignificant husband will get the worst end of it! And in his current condition, he won't be able to withstand another blow from me. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Mistress, it is," Sarah sadly replied, dropping her head in shame.

But she shot her head up when Spectra added, "Now, what you need to do is simple enough for your little brain. We can't possibly overshadow the Ghost Kid, so we'll have to just use the others as we did before. Just wait for Bertrand's signal and do what we told you to do, and that will be it. Is that clear?"

Sarah stole a glance to her unconscious husband, fighting the tears when she could still see the fresh wound he had suffered from Spectra. She then barely nodded and mumbled, "Yes, Mistress," before letting her head fall in defeat once more.

Before too long, they had arrived near the entrance of the high school. Spectra placed the cage bearing the still senseless wildcat behind a large bush and took the compliant dove out of her cage. The dove dutifully alit onto the shadow ghost's arm and waited in silence.

Now satisfied-—and determined—-Spectra nodded to her assistant.

Bertrand reached into his pocket and pulled out the little machine in order to spray them with the masking concoction. But before he could, Spectra whipped the aerosol-delivering device right out of his hands.

"Hey!" he instantly objected, scrunching his brow, obviously perturbed with indignation.

But he was too late.

Before he could do anything about it, the female shadow ghost was spraying a hefty dose of the masking mist all over herself, as if she were applying perfume before going on a hot date. Not a moment later, and she sprayed as similarly heavy portion over Sarah.

The small ghost animal coughed on the pungent gas.

"Spectra, that's too much!" Bertrand objected again before he also coughed on the fumes once Spectra had also given him a heavy dose.

"Can't be too careful. I want this to go right this time," she said with a hint of both flippancy and threat in her voice.

Bertrand's nostrils flared in anger and crossing his arms, huffed and pouted.

Spectra ignored him and commanded, "Let's go!"

Bertrand's eyes widened in slight surprise, not expecting or wanting her to ignore him, but he did as she commanded anyway.

The trio all turned intangible and invisible at the same time, and finally headed into the school...