Warning: Not many warnings in this chapter. Adult situations and mpreg. Oh, and don't do drugs! ^_^
Disclaimer: I don't own Danny Phantom.
Chapter 12: Solution
Friday had the potential to make or break me. Brit, Valerie and Jazz woke up super early to go to Saint Louis for Black Friday while the rest of us chose to take our chances here. Mom would be going to the Amity Park mall for some gifts but going into Saint Louis was like walking in a lion's den with a Salisbury steak tied to your forehead.
I knew Mom had been up all night again because Mom Number Two had made breakfast. The only person not accounted for was Joseph; everyone else was either here or shopping. Our moms were planning on shopping together so that was why Mom Numbers Two and Three were over. With Mom buried in the lab, Mom Number Two made breakfast.
After breakfast, we roped the children all in the living room. Danielle offered to go first to remove the tension. No one, not even Sam, guessed what happened.
Dani lowered herself to Jacky and Jamie's level, looking into Jacky's eyes. I could tell the boys were confused because Jamie put his hand in his mouth while Jacky kept his arms to his sides. Dani took a shallow breath. "We've talked about what's wrong with me before, boys. You know I was upset and it wasn't anything you did. I told you one day, I might be able to be a bigger part of your lives. It's going to be baby steps, but if you want to, I'd like to be your mom."
The gasps that filled the room couldn't be touched by the look on Jamie's face. I thought if anyone was going to have a memorable reaction, it'd surely be Jacky. However, Jamie began to smile, putting his hands out of his mouth. "You've always been our mommy, Mommy."
"Slow," Jacky asked, rubbing his face.
"Slow," Dani nodded, her voice breaking. "It's going to be a long road to recovery but I want to be a part of your lives. I'd like it if you let me."
"We knew you needed time, Mama," Jacky replied. "We'll be here as long as you want."
"Danielle," Mom spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why the change of heart?"
"I realized that everything I thought mattered didn't," Dani said, looking to me. I read between the lines. It'd be our little secret. Now if only Tucker never figures it out.
Danielle and the boys just separated. There was no big hug or tears of joy or kisses. It was too soon for that. But it was a step in the right direction and it was the best news we've had for a while. It made me feel guilty to follow that up with this.
"And I have my own news," I said, lowering my head. "Unfortunately, it's not good news like with Danielle."
"What is it, sweetheart," Mom asked me.
"I think it's best if I get it out in the open," I said, looking down. I took a breath, walking over to the girls.
"What," Tucker declared.
"I have to, Tucker," I said, my voice breaking. God, I didn't want to do this but I had to. Lilly and Megan deserved to hear it from me now than witness it later. I lowered myself. "Lilly, Megan, I need to have a word with you girls." I looked to my nephews. "You too, Jacky and Jamie, because this affects you almost as much as it does the girls."
Jacky and Jamie walked over to me. "What is it, Uncle Danny," Jacky asked.
Oh, God, please forgive me. "I don't want this, kids, but I have it. When I went away, I saw a lot of bad stuff. My body got out of whack and some things changed inside me. I started feeling bad. I began to do things that wasn't healthy for me and that made it even worse. When I was fighting the ghosts, I started letting myself slip. It got to the point that I didn't want to do my responsibilities anymore. When I thought about you kids, I stopped looking at you like the light of my life and as another job to do. Now, I know you are my responsibility and I wouldn't change it for the world, but I began to feel like I didn't want to take care of you anymore. I'm not as sick as Danielle was, but I have the same thing. You may have to ask me if I feel like playing. It's nothing you did, any of you, and I will not go away, but I need some space if you can give it. I need your patience."
"You have the illness Mommy had," Jacky asked.
"Sort of," I said, swallowing. "Danielle was frightened by you. I'm frightened by the responsibility you bring. In some cases, it's worse. In some cases, it's better. Every case is different." I put my arms around my girls, holding them at length. "I wanted you kids to know. This has nothing to do with you. I'm afraid of hurting you more than I am of scaring you. I will get over this, girls. I just need your understanding."
"I'm sorry, Mama," Megan said, her eyes welling up. "I-I don't understand. It's not my fault but I make you feel bad. Why isn't that my fault?"
"Megan, you did nothing to deserve this," I said, looking right at her. "You have been a wonderful daughter and I am so blessed to have all of you." I looked to all four. "But the things I saw… the things I did… I'm scared of repeating my mistakes and it makes me want to run. I'm not going to let it happen. I'm going to protect you kids with everything I have and I will not turn from my responsibilities… but you mean too much to me. You aren't just some stranger that I don't want to see hurt. You are my everything that I can't stand to see hurt. It's not you, your sister or your cousins that make me uncomfortable. It's the thought that I won't be able to help you like I couldn't help the others. You mean too much to me so right now, I have this little voice saying you're better off without me. I'm telling him he's wrong and that the best way to protect you is to teach you."
"But you're not leaving," Lilly asked me. "You're going to fight this."
"With everything I have," I said, looking to her.
"We love you, Daddy," Lilly said, touching my hand. My eyes welled up. "Anything you need, we'll support."
"But do you need space or do you need understanding," Jacky asked. I laughed at his attempt to say understanding clearly. He tripped over the words he was so young.
"I need understanding but sometimes, understanding means space, too," I said, looking to Jacky and then his brother. "There are going to be days I can't do it." My voice broke as I admitted it. "There are going to be days I just can't be around you. No amount of fighting can force the feeling to go away. I promise that I will work to keep the outbreaks limited but when it happens, I'm going to need you to give me some space. I promise, as soon as I'm better, it'll be just the four of us."
"We love you, Uncle Danny," Jamie said, walking over to me. He was about to hug me when Mom stopped him.
"Jamie, sweetie, you need to ask before you hug your uncle," Mom said, looking at him gently. "That's what Danny is saying, baby. Sometimes, he can't take a hug."
I could have taken it but I let Mom give him this lesson. I'd hate for him to hug me one day when I couldn't take it.
"Oh," Jamie said, looking at me in fear. "I'm sorry. Can I hug you, Uncle Danny?"
"Come here, little man. All of you," I said, looking around the room. I hugged Jamie first because he was the first one there but Jacky and Lilly joined in right away. Eventually, Megan hugged me too. I hugged them all, kissing their heads. "I love each and every one of you. You four are my world and there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you. Know that no matter what happens, you four mean everything to me."
"Get well soon, Uncle Danny," Jacky said. He stepped away.
"Hey," Danielle said, taking his hand from behind. Jacky turned around. "What do you say we go play outside?"
"Okay," Jamie said as he joined his brother and mother.
"And we need to have a talk," Sam said, walking over to me and the girls.
"Actually, Sam, I want to talk to him," Mom began.
"You'll have to wait," Sam said, her voice firm. "Our family comes first."
Mom was stunned and so was I, to be honest. This was the first time Sam suggested a line crossed between Mom, Dad and I and Sam, Lilly, Megan and I. It was the first time Sam suggested we wasn't just a generalization of family.
I took Megan and Lilly's hands and we started up the stairs. We entered into my bedroom and Sam shut the door. I helped the girls on the bed, kneeling as Sam came up from behind me, coming to our level.
"Okay, I know you girls have questions and you deserve to have them answered in privacy," Sam said, looking between our girls.
"Has anything changed," Megan asked. "Do you love us still?"
"Very," I said, nodding. "That has never changed. When I was out there, I was scared of coming back to responsibility; not to you. I missed you girls more than anything."
"Can you stay in our room," Lilly asked.
"Yes," I nodded. "I can feed you, bathe you, anything like that. I will still be everything to you I was before. I just… need some understanding. I will try to prevent you girls from noticing anything but if I seem irritable or God forbid, I snap at you, please don't-don't take it personal." My eyes filled with tears. "I've never felt more hurt, girls. Knowing that the one thing I loved about my life—being your father—has been taken from me. You have to understand, girls, that I wished I could flip a switch. I wished I could say that this is stupid and my fears aren't real and I could get over it. It's not that easy. I used to see you girls as strong—unbreakable. Now, I see these cracks and I see things that can hurt you and I feel like I'm too far away to protect you. And-and," I just about lost it but I finished through near tears, "and it feels like if I just walk away, it won't hurt when you break." I covered my face, sliding my hands over my face to rest against my mouth. I left a pocket around my mouth so I could speak. "I will not give in to those urges. No matter what happens, I am going to be here for you. I just need your help." I folded my hands, resting my chin upon my first index finger.
"Daddy, we're strong," Lilly said, taking Megan's hand. Megan actually squeezed Lilly's hand. "We can take care of ourselves."
"You understand that these feelings your dad has is irrational, right, Lilly," Sam asked. Sam rested her left hand on my knee but her right hand on top of Lilly and Megan's linked hands. "Your dad only feels this way because of these fears he has. They're not real and they're very unlikely to happen but he can't escape it. It's unlikely that anything will happen. Your dad is just scared."
"Well, sometimes I'm scared there's a boogeyman in my closet but you still open it up to show me," Lilly said, looking at Sam. "Maybe we need to show Daddy that we can handle the boogeyman."
"Mama, nothing's going to happen to us," Megan said, removing her hand to put her fists in her lap. "You can protect us, I'm sure of it."
"I thought I could protect those I met on my travels, too," I said, looking down. "That didn't turn out so good."
"Mama, others aren't like me and Sis-sis. We can hold them off until you get there."
"I love you girls," I said, my eyes welling. "I will protect you, no matter what."
"We love you, too, Daddy," Lilly said.
"Any more questions," Sam asked.
"Why did you call us our family to Grandma," Lilly asked.
"Because we come first," Sam said, picking up Megan. She settled her on her hip, picking up Lilly. "The Mommy, Daddy and babies come before the aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents."
"So maw-maw still family," Megan asked.
"Yes," Sam smiled. "Go talk to Mrs. Fenton," Sam said to me. "I'll get the girls dressed."
"Dressed," I asked, furrowing my brow. "Where are we going?"
"We're going out as a family in a little bit," Sam replied. I nodded, confused, but not concerned. I'd let Sam lead. I needed someone to be the strong one because it wasn't me.
(04)
"How dare she," Mom seethed, throwing a file folder down on the work station, scattering it`bs contents. "I get it that she is your fiancé and you two are raising children together but you are my son! I have more rights to you than she does!"
"Mom," I said gently. Of all the things I imagined, I never imagined the cliché mother-in-law and daughter-in-law fight in our family. My mom has been raising my wife since she was seven.
"No," Mom declared. "I love Sam to death. I think you made the best choice and anyone else wouldn't be good enough for you—but you are my son! When I say I need to speak to you, I get precedence. I delivered you!"
"And Sam is my wife," I defended.
"Not yet," Mom retorted. "You are engaged, which I think is ridiculous, and that's it! You two are surrogate parents to Lilly and Megan! I am your mother and you are not quite eighteen. That means our family comes first!"
"Mom, I love you, but don't go there," I said, crossing my arms. "Sam comes first. Our family comes first. I have never separated family. Sam was equal with you and Tucker for all I care but she is right. We have two small children that we are raising and we had to deal with them first. I have my own family and it comes first."
"This is not a nuclear family," Mom declared, incredulous. "You are not thirty years old, Danny! Jazz is nineteen years old but I do not look at her and Joseph as a nuclear family! They are still teen parents. Your father and I were forced into this. When you and Vlad had those girls—however the hell it was done—you involved us. We are Lilly and Megan's parents!"
"No, you are not," I declared, staring her down. "You are grandparents and when we graduate, you will spoil and return, just like all other grandparents. I am not pawning our children off on anyone and if you think Jazz and Joseph are going to do the same thing, you are seriously mistaken."
"Danny, you and Sam can't possibly raise two girls by yourselves. Not and go to school, too. You kids have to make a future for yourselves. You need to forget about becoming a nuclear family and having babies again in three years. You need to focus on your future and develop your lives. That's how you become adults."
"Are we going to talk about my illness or my parenting roles," I asked, laying my arms to my sides. "Because I'm gone if you are going to keep this up!"
"No, this wasn't supposed to be about your family," Mom sighed. "This was supposed to be about you. I will be having this discussion with Sam, though."
I scoffed a laugh. "Yeah. I wouldn't go there if I was you. Sam will rip into you like Tucker does a rib-eye."
"Anyway, what happened," Mom asked. "I want to know how this began?"
"I'm not quite sure," I sighed. "I just started feeling scared when I thought about the kids. I thought I was scared of something else but I wasn't. I was afraid of being responsible for them. And do not start, I am not in the mood."
"What does Elaine want you to do," Mom asked me.
"She has me on an anti-depressant and I'm doing her assignments again. This time, I think I can draw it instead of write it."
"You wrote your feelings down," Mom asked me.
"Yep. Burned those books and then burned the ashes." Mom's face dropped. "I thought it was stupid anyway."
"I'm going to talk with Elaine," Mom remarked. "I'm using my weight just so you know."
"Mom," I groaned. "They're not going to crack and if you arrest them, I will have them pardoned."
"Who said anything about needing them to crack," Mom remarked. "I will be getting my answers, one way or another."
"Then why don't you ask me," I sighed. "I'll tell you what you want to know."
"What medication did she put you on," Mom asked.
"Anti-depressant," I said, avoiding her gaze. I saw her nod.
"What is she suggesting," Mom asked.
"Talk it out and put my feelings on paper," I remarked, looking at her again.
"And what does she believe caused this," Mom asked.
"The stress from the travels," I answered.
"I get that but there's a stressor. Why are the children involved?"
"It's got something to do with responsibility. I'm afraid of being responsible for them and failing them."
"Does she recommend any other treatments? Does she have any fears of side effects?"
"Not as far as I know," I remarked.
"I'll talk to Elaine," Mom remarked. I rolled my eyes.
"You don't have to have your hands in everything, Mom. I have other people who can take care of me."
"And I might be the one who can do it best," Mom defended. "You know me. I don't like relying on anyone else to handle my responsibilities. You are my responsibility."
"I'm in good hands," I said, rubbing her arms. "Now, if that's all, I need to go see what Sam had in mind."
"Not before I have a word with her," Mom said, steeled.
"Mom, seriously, you do not want to challenge her," I said, covering my face. I don't even want to imagine Sam's face if Mom decrees our girls isn't Sam's children. That half-ghost Goth girl is going to go off on one unsuspecting hazmat-suit clad woman.
"She needs to understand," Mom said, her voice firm.
"The only thing you're going to accomplish is pissing her off," I said, dropping my hand. "Sam takes her role very seriously. This is not like me. Part of me is in the girls. Sam has no DNA in them and Vlad has thrown that in her face every chance he got. She's had practice and I've never seen her lose!"
"Wait," Mom cried, turning to face me. I stopped, crossing my arms. "Okay, Megan and Lilly are your biological children. No surprise there. They're not Sam's. Again, expected. But Vlad was cocky enough to throw that in her face even though they weren't his either?"
I swallowed, not quite sure how to respond. "Vlad was pretty confident," I answered instead.
"This situation confuses the hell out of me," Mom groaned, turning back to the doorway. She entered the changing room. "I cannot figure out Vlad's involvement in any of this. I know he's your ex-boyfriend slash rapist but he has no stakes in the children. I mean, you two were broken up before Lilly was even born and I still can't figure out how Megan came to be. Why does Vlad think he has any stake in either of them? Why does Megan think Vlad is her father when you so obviously are? I'm so freaking confused."
"I know," I said softly. "One day, you'll understand."
"I know I will," Mom remarked. She entered the kitchen, heading for the living room. "Sam. A word."
"Sure, Mrs. Fenton," Sam replied. The girls were bundled up and ready for a trip outdoors. "Go put the kids in the car," Sam said, rubbing my chin. "I'll be out in a moment."
"Don't kill her, please," I said, no humor in my voice.
Sam laughed. "Kill her," she chuckled. "Why would I kill my future mother-in-law?"
"You'll see," I said. I kissed her and Sam leaned into me. I broke away, taking the girls' hands. "Come on, girls. Let's leave the cats to fight it out."
"Kitties," Megan asked, looking around. "I don't see any kitties fighting."
"There will be in a minute," I remarked, leading them outside. I opened the passenger door, lifting Lilly in through the lifted seat. I put Megan in behind the passenger seat, securing her in her booster chair. Lilly sat down in hers as I heard Sam scream. A smile tugged at my lips as I lifted up, rectifying the passenger seat. I closed the door, going around the car and helping secure Lilly. Once she was fastened in, I closed the door and walked back to the passenger side. I opened the door, starting the ignition and closed the door, leaning against the car.
"Do not talk about things you do not understand," Sam's voice retorted back.
"He is my son," Mom threw out.
"And he is my husband, the father of my children," Sam seethed.
"You are not married yet," Mom's voice.
"It doesn't matter!" Sam.
"The hell it doesn't!" Mom.
"Lilly and Megan are my children, I don't care whose DNA is in them! I will defend my children and I will protect them! Danny is sick and he needs me. If you think you come before our family, you are seriously mistaken. We have children—."
"You are just children," Mom interrupted.
"We haven't been children in a long time," Sam retorted. "You have no idea the hells we've been through. Our children needed that moment and I'd been damned if anyone interrupted us. We may be young but we are parents. You have no role in this family! You are Danny's extended family which makes you my family but we are his focal family! There are orders and there are priorities. If you think you come before Lilly or Megan, then you aren't the woman I thought you were."
"I'm not suggesting I'm more important," Mom defended.
"Good!"
"But I do think I have precedence when it comes to my son!"
"Our children will have kids of their own and I'm sure I will think back and have more respect for you now, but no, you don't! If you think you take precedence to Danny, who do you think Danny takes precedence to?"
Don't do it, Mom, don't do it!
"Jack and I." She did it.
"What?!"
"You are teen parents, which mean you included us!" Oh, man, she's done it.
"What kind of bat shit crazy are you," Sam cried out, almost sounding in pain. "Listen, we are their parents. We are! I know you are close to the kids and I am very grateful for that, but you are not their parents. Danny and I are the parents here." Her voice was defensive but she actually sounded preachy, too. It was almost like she was talking to a kid… or an idiot. Yeah, it was the latter.
"Megan and Lilly are Danny's responsibility—,"
"And mine," Sam cut in.
"I try not to think about that. Technically, that'd mean the Manson's are equally responsible."
She didn't.
"My parents," Sam said and I could almost picture her recoiling. "Now how the hell did we get here?"
"Danny is still my responsibility so whatever his responsibilities are, are my responsibilities."
"Your world view is so screwed up right now," Sam said and her voice sounded piteous.
"It's the truth!"
"Danny is his own person. I mean—oh my God—you have no idea what you're talking about! You don't even know Danny, much less capable of bearing his responsibility load. Do you know what it's going to take to get him better? He can't handle responsibility right now and that means we are going to have to lighten his load. You have no idea the meetings we're going to have behind Danny's back right now." Ut oh. "Lessening the load until it's barely existent while trying to keep this information from Danny—not an easy task! Why do you think I said we were first? I mean, oh my God, you have no idea. You are a complete stranger, Mrs. Fenton." She released a breath as I looked to the ground. I knew telling them was a bad idea. "I don't mean to hurt you. I've been where you are. I know how it feels to look at someone you love—Danny—and not know who he really is. I know you see it because I was there. You don't know him, Mrs. Fenton. You can't begin to understand what this means. You leave the important stuff to us and you do what you can. I'm sorry."
"Then help me," Mom urged and their voices had changed. They were no longer fighting. "If you know where I am, tell me how to find him, Sam! It's not that I don't know Danny, I don't even know he exists! He's a fable! He's bigfoot! He's a ghost."
"You're half right," Sam said, her voice reserved. I furrowed my brow. "Look, you can't know, okay. Do you think it was easy for me in the beginning, either? I loved him, Mrs. Fenton. I wasn't just his friend or his sidekick. I was a complete stranger. He had no idea who I was. He saw me as his friend but I was his everything. At least that's how I viewed it. He didn't know me, either, because he was my everything. It hurt, knowing we didn't know each other at all, but I know he had to go through that. It hurt both of us—do you think this is what he wants? He hurt after he reversed reality. We lived in a nightmare but the prospect of having you back—the you both of you want to be—meant more to him than the peace he had. We tried to talk him into telling just you and Mr. Fenton. We tried to give you the benefit of the doubt and say he should have given you more time. He knows what's best."
"That's why he dated his rapist," Mom accused.
"You don't understand," Sam said softly. "One day, you won't be a stranger anymore. Trust me, I haven't been a stranger for more than a year now. It's a great feeling."
"I want to feel it now, Sam," Mom said, her voice pleading.
"It's not time," Sam said gently. "Now, Danny and I are going to take the girls out. We might not be back tonight. Don't wait up."
"Sam, wait," Mom called. "I love you, Sam. You know my son more than I do right now. Do everything in your power to protect him."
"That's my job, Mrs. Fenton," Sam said, her voice light. "I love you, too."
In about thirty seconds, the front door opened. I opened the passenger door, hopping inside before Sam could see I was listening in. I turned in the seat. "Not a word to mommy, okay. I was inside all along."
"Our little secret, Daddy."
"Okay, Mama."
(04)
It was the most fun I'd had in years. We just drove. We didn't go anywhere particular, we just hit I-64 and headed west. We stopped at places we thought were worth seeing and sometimes, it was just in a little dinky town that no one would think of as tourist destination. I knew we had to do this in the summer because it would be even better but I enjoyed it even if it was late fall. Seeing the leaves in different colors, seeing snow in the colder areas of the Rockies, we even parked the car and flew up there so we could play in the peak snow. We spent two days just driving.
It was Sunday afternoon when we stopped at Headquarters. I talked Sam into leaving the car on the main road because the little dirt road—really a path by this point—just wasn't suitable for an environment-friendly convertible. We cleaned up, getting into our regular attire. The things we picked up on the road was more convenient for a road trip than butt-kicking ghost fighter.
And even my red and white t-shirt and blue jeans were starting to feel like they didn't fit.
"It doesn't seem to fit anymore, does it," Sam sighed.
Even though I was thinking the same thing, I took offense from her because she's accused me of being pregnant. "It fits fine!"
"Not that way," Sam retorted. She chuckled. "I mean, even mine feels like I'm wearing a costume. I'm not that girl anymore."
"I was thinking the same thing," I sighed. "This is Danny Fenton. I'm not him anymore. I don't know who I am."
"Well, I'm not that conflicted. This is Sam Manson and I'm Sam Fenton. I feel like I'm living a lie. Like I'm imposing someone when I put this on."
"Maybe it's time for a change," I said, looking to her. "You've wore that look for nearly five years now, Sam. I've worn mine for three, even after the biggest change of my life. Tucker's had his for four. Maybe it's time for a change."
"Maybe," Sam sighed.
"Can we have a change," Megan asked, smiling broadly.
"I wasn't aware of you having a look," Sam smirked, ruffling her hair. Having been reminded, I looked up at my head. I hadn't covered it in the last two days, opting to let it go. Soon, I'll be going back to school—as will everyone else, regardless of what they say—so I'll have to make a decision. Do I embrace the baldness until my hair grows back or do I continuously hide the fact that I have no hair? Damn you, you stupid ghost! I should have let him take my head!
We made it home and Mom nearly had a duck calf. After we smoothed things over, our team met in the living room. "We've been thinking," Sam spoke up. "I think it's time for a new look."
"Count me out," Jazz said, crossing her arms. "A dress on a blimp is still a blimp."
I smirked. "But you won't be that way forever, Jazz. Maybe you should tag along to make the decisions with us."
"You're wanting to do it as a team," Tucker asked.
"Yeah," I nodded. "I was thinking about completing the look. We're so mismatched. You have Joseph who wears blue jeans and long sleeved shirts. Tucker wears thin sweaters and cargo pants. Sam wears t-shirts and skirts. I wear blue jeans and t-shirts. We're not grouped. I mean, Danielle wears shorts!"
"So, what do you want to do," Tucker asked.
"Unify us," I replied. "I'm not talking about twins here, I'm not willing to look exactly like you guys, but I'd like for someone to see us and say: yep, that's a team."
"Well, we want a formal look, right. I think we should dump the jeans and cargos, then," Joseph replied.
"Except for maybe Tucker," I remarked. "He has those cargos for a reason. I was thinking maybe we should all wear cargos."
"Now, wait a minute," Sam cut in. "We need a look, not to dress alike. Not formal, professional. Blue jeans, out. T-shirts, out. Mini-skirts and shorts, out. There should also be a pattern. Like we only wear approved colors. We don't have to wear the same thing, but it has to be similar—the look. So no wearing bright colors; I'm not going to wear it and neither is Joseph. But we shouldn't only include Goth or country attire because it's not fair to ask everyone to adopt the same look."
"Well, we want professional so solid colors. In other words, don't wear anything that would attract attention," Tucker looked at Sam, "like a skull necklace."
"And we should all shave our heads," I threw out there, trying to act casual.
"Forget it," Valerie retorted. "You're the one who lost his hair—deal with it."
"It was worth a shot," I pouted.
We agreed and broke. We'd do it on our own time—there was no point in going as a group. Sam and I laid the girls down for their nap and I got on my computer. I was toying around online instead of doing my homework. I was browsing jackets on Amazon.
Nothing seemed to fit the mood I was in. I saw a few I thought would look great on Sam—even some that I know she will one day wear, but that's way in the future—but nothing I wanted to use as a team jacket. I clicked off the internet, pulling up a drawing application.
(04)
Before dinner, Sam and I took the girls to the mall. We were going to let the girls pick some toys out while we did some shopping. After Lilly and Megan got a handful of toys to placate them, we went into the clothing shop at the mall. Sam shopped first.
Lilly walked over to a rack of clothes, pulling on a long skirt. "What about this, Mommy?" A smile threatened to tug at my lips. Sam would wear clothing like that one day, but at this point, it wasn't her style. I guess Lilly is using her dreams to influence the selection.
"You think I'd look good in this," Sam said, her face trying to conceal the personal horror.
The skirt was a pale tan color. It was too soon.
"Just one, Mommy," Lilly begged. "You don't have to wear it with a similar shirt. You could wear a black shirt with it."
Sam released a small sigh and I knew she had caved. "Okay. But this is the only one. I'm not sure I want to wear anything other than black. I have a rep to protect, you know." Sam gave Lilly a gentle smile.
"Please," Lilly scoffed. "If anyone gives you any trouble, knock them into next week, Mommy."
"You help me," Sam teased kindly.
"You bet," Lilly smiled.
Megan pulled me to a second rack. "Do you think Sam would like this," Megan asked me. It was a black dress, form fitting that went to above the knee. I picked Megan up, pulling the dress out to look at it closely. The sleeves were long which would function with what Sam needs and they were thin which would allow Sam to breathe. "Let's ask her," I said, bouncing Megan.
"Sam," Megan called. Sam turned to us. "What about this one?"
"Hmm," Sam said, a happy smile on her lips. "I like the color."
"It looks professional," Megan said, slurring the word.
"Put it in," Sam nodded. I added it to the buggy.
Before we went to the men's section, we stopped at the children's section. Lilly got some pants, a few dresses and a couple skirts (although she doesn't like the skirts so much) but Megan surprised me. While she picked up the same things, hers was more tasteful. Lilly picked out things that was functional, Megan picked out things that appealed. She also got a lot more dresses that bordered preppy. It reminded me to the first dream I had of Dawn. Lilly was wearing street clothes while Megan was wearing a fancy dress. She takes after her father.
Finally, it was my time to shop. I hated shopping. The first thing I grabbed was a handful of hoodies and tossed them in the buggy. Sam picked up more than half of the hoodies I picked up and put them back on the rack. I huffed. "You won't wear them in two months. There's no point in buying that many. We have a washing machine."
"Okay," I rolled my eyes. I picked up two coats—one a winter jacket with a hood and the other a rain jacket, form fitting, with a hood. I picked up a handful of white, black, gray and navy blue polo shirts, a few packs white t-shirts and some button up dress shirts. For pants, I bought trousers, a couple cargos and a lot of loafers. I didn't put a lot of thought into what I bought, just picking out things that looked professional and didn't stray from my personality.
"Okay, that's it, right," Sam asked.
"Let's get out of here," I huffed. I was ready to crawl in a hole. School started back tomorrow and we were going to straighten out that mess. I was going to be in the spotlight—and I'm bald!
"It's going to be okay," Sam said, kissing my temple. We checked out.
(04)
I guess it was the hoodie. When we arrived at school, I was completely overlooked and discarded to the back of the group—with Valerie, Danielle, and Brit—for everyone pushing to see Sam and Tucker. From what I can gather, Dani never stopped coming to school. She has her friends and she was actually doing her job by protecting the school. The way these bloodthirsty teenagers are hounding Tucker and Sam, I know I will have to have a long conversation with them. How are they supposed to protect the school if they never show up?
"Have you heard from Fenton," Dash's voice actually made it across the noise.
Sam and Tucker looked back to me and I started shaking my head like a madman. Maybe, if no one tells them, they won't notice me. I could make up a new identity. I'm good at that kind of stuff!
Forget it, Tucker added drily. Jeez, he loses his hair and thinks the world is over.
I know the world will continue… but it's awful with no hair, Tuck!
Suck it up, Tucker laughed.
"Actually," Sam said, a smile on her lips. "He's home."
"He's home," Paulina declared. "Why isn't he here?"
"Oh, he's here," Tucker said, crossing his arms, "and he really hates us for calling that to attention. He had a bit of an accident. He's the one in the hood."
"I hate you," I growled.
"Danny," Annie Ford called from the back of the group. "Accident, what kind of accident?"
"Fenton," Dash asked hesitantly. I crossed my arms, stepping away from my three sisters.
"Yeah, I'm back," I grumbled. "I had hope that you wouldn't recognize me. I'd rather stay away until after it comes back."
"What comes back? What's with the hood," Chris asked, stepping out with Dash and Paulina, pushing Annie behind him.
Sam reached her hand out but I snapped my head in her direction. "Do it and we are so over."
Sam started laughing. "Glad to know your hair is more important to you than our relationship."
"It's not the hair," I said, dropping my hands, "it's the thought. If you'd expose me that way, what else would you give away?"
"He's taking this really far," Tucker said, smirking.
"Is-is he—bald," Star asked, stepping up to Kwan's side.
I swear if anyone so much as snickers, they'll have my foot so far up their back side, the kids on the other side could see my shoe. "Dude," Dash said, his eyes widening. "Are you serious?"
"I'm afraid so," I grumbled. "I lost a majority of my hair and it was a lost cause. I shaved my head."
"It's not as bad as he makes it out to be," Sam said softly. "He'll survive."
"What kind of girlfriend are you," Annie called, pushing past the King and Queen. She wrapped her arms around my shoulder. "He's been traumatized and you are poking fun at him!"
Okay, thanks for the understanding but I so don't want a catfight on my first day back. "Thanks for the compliment, Annie, but Sam takes care of me."
"It's okay, baby," Annie said, rubbing my shoulders with both hands. "If Sam won't take care of you, I will."
I shook my head. "Annie, seriously, I'm fine. Thanks for your concern." I stepped towards Sam. "Okay, we were doing something before the assault. Let's go."
"Oh, no," Dash called out. "Dude, give it a chance!"
"What are you talking about, Dash," Paulina asked.
"Remember when I told you I chatted with Fenton." A number of students nodded their heads. Oh, come on! I hate how I've suddenly became popular enough to brag about a live chat I had with someone. "He asked me about the system and how we did it now. He said he when came back, he was changing things. I think that's what he's talking about." A loud chorus of disapproval rose from the group.
"Quiet," I called out. Silence followed. "Listen, this is still a high school. My team and I designed this up to both be beneficial and flexible. Just because there's going to be structure doesn't mean it's going to be the way it was last year. But this is still a high school and you can't just ignore some aspects of daily life. We will work with you to bring a balance to this place but I bet the grades aren't doing any better." Downcast gazes told me what I already knew. "This was supposed to be the perfect fit. A way to blend time off, holiday breaks, snow days, ghost attacks, consecutive class times and summer break and still get good grades. We live in a futuristic place—we are pioneering a new way of doing things. We have to make the sacrifices first. It isn't fair but we are the new frontier. We will be the drawing board from which the rest of the world does things."
"Wait," Star asked, crossing her arms. "You're talking about exposure and putting it in a context of unavoidable circumstances. Is that what we're looking at? Worldwide exposure."
"It could be possible," I said, crossing my arms behind my back. "If it comes down to it, though, the rest of the world will take things from us. We can't have the system the way you have it set up. I know you guys like the new setup but Sam, Tuck, Jazz, Val, Danielle and I set it up this way for a reason. We have to make this work."
"Buzz kill," Tommy snorted.
"Hey, I have a job to do. My job is to keep things running smoothly and keep you alive. If that makes me unpopular, then so be it. Your safety is more important to me."
"Why is it your job to keep us safe," Paulina asked. "You just run the Youth Division."
"And we are kids," Star said, rolling her eyes. "Come on, Paulie. You're a captain of Team Raven the same I am. Don't tell me you don't feel responsible."
"I guess," Paulina frowned.
"Come on, guys," I said, walking over to Sam. I wrapped my arm behind her waist, leading us to the office. It was going to be a long morning.
(04)
"This is completely insane," Sam said, her voice akin to horror.
"You should have been keeping an eye on things," I retorted. The school had completely transformed. Principal Ishyama was giving us a tour and the only thing we had seen was way too much money being spent on something that should have never been approved. "How did they get the funds to do this?"
"They're the King and the Queen," Principal Ishyama defended. "They ordered the changes to be made and we were forced to comply!"
I groaned. "Okay. I get it. We'll fix everything."
"Where are the teachers doing their work," Sam asked.
"They have offices out back," Principal Ishyama explained.
"You're kidding," I groaned, throwing my head back in aggravation. "Dash said they were going to do it."
"Well, the library was getting overcrowded. Not everyone has an office."
"We'll fix it," I repeated. We toured the school, seeing the entire mess up close. The classrooms were worse. No adult supervision, no chaperones; nothing! Just a living-room-converted-classroom filled with kids, playing on laptops. This is not what I envisioned!
"You kids are the bosses," Principal Ishyama stated, putting her hands up in a no-contest plea. "You fix it. Anyone else will get killed if they try to change this setup."
"We'll take care of it," Tucker said, crossing his arms. "We're not afraid of them."
Principal Ishyama nodded, walking away. My group huddled in, everyone peering at the new setup. "Oh, man, Danny," Valerie groaned. "How are we going to do this? They've practically set everything up already."
"We go to the teachers," I said, crossing my arms. I turned away from the classroom. "This began with the teachers. I'd like to blame the A-List but I know it started with my group. They're ghost hunters first and there are attacks across the board. They saw the way it was set up and decided this would be a better way of doing it. The A-List only capitalized on the opening. So the first thing we've got to do is target the teachers."
"Lead the way, boss," Valerie said, sweeping her arm in a welcome gesture.
I smirked. "Don't get cute!"
"She can't help it," Tucker teased.
"Tucker," Valerie groaned. "If either one of our parents' catch us again, I'm going to be grounded for an eternity!"
I laughed. "Easy there, Tucker. I don't know what they did to the showers."
"Gym," Sam called out. "What did they do for that class?"
"Beats the hell out of me," I groaned. "Gym was supposed to remain the same. How could it be any different? Only in the case of a ghost attack was the plan to change." I looked to Danielle. "Do you know how they did it?"
"As far as I know, it's like everywhere else. I hung out in the gym. I've never seen a class being held there."
"I wonder if I can sense Dash," I said, crossing my arms.
"I'll trace him," Tucker said, pulling out his PDA. Tucker led us to the classroom Dash was staying in.
I opened the door. "Dash. Can I borrow you for a moment?"
"What's up, Fentina?"
I rolled my eyes. "What do you do for gym?"
"A writing assignment, an hour of activity and absolutely no electronic activity during that hour."
"So that's why there's always someone on the gym floor," Dani nodded.
"Yeah. They can also use the track, the football field, the baseball field; you get the idea. Any kind of activity and no electronics."
"Well, at least they're keeping the thought of gym class pure," I said, crossing my arms. "What about music? Art? Science!" That completely slipped my mind. "We still have science classes, right?"
"It's virtual but yeah. Everything else is virtual. Only gym isn't because the point of gym is to get you active."
"How do you play a virtual musical instrument," I asked, furrowing my brow. That must be lame.
"It's this software program," Dash explained. "It records the session you play and adds it to the collective. When the teacher checks the assignment, the music plays together. It allows the class to do the work individually but still get the experience."
"But they're not working with a group," I said, shaking my head. "How can they get the experience of working together if they're doing it separately?"
"They're not," Sam answered, crossing her arms. "This entire school has screwed up everything. This was our fault for not sticking with it but you guys should have done the way it was set up. If the teachers wouldn't enforce it, then you should have done it because that's the way it was set up!"
"I think this way works best and if you gave it a chance, you'd like it."
I looked to Danielle. "You've been doing it. What do you think?"
"It's way too fun," Dani said softly. "School isn't supposed to be like this. Most of the time, I don't do my work until I get home. I just come to school to socialize. Sometimes, I've missed assignments because I got carried away. It's distracting."
"Sweetheart, come on. You know you like it this way," Dash said, leaning against the wall behind Danielle.
"Back off," I shot.
"I'm not your sweetheart," Dani retorted. "I do like it this way but I know it's not working. I was with Danny when we planned this out. It needed to be mandatory. This is why I thought it should have been mandatory. It gets informal and we get lazy."
"Okay, I appreciate your help, Dash. You can go back now."
"Just give it a try," Dash pleaded. "You'll like it this way."
"It isn't about what I like," I said, turning to my team. Dani was nodding in agreement. "It's about what gets the job done."
We went outside to where there were about six annex buildings. We would have a long conversation with the teachers.
(04)
We spent the entire day making preparations to get the school back to the way it was supposed to be. I'd have everything back to normal by the beginning of the month. We stayed late today so we could talk to every teacher—some of them weren't even on the property!—so by the time we got home, it was after four. Today didn't go at all like I had hoped but we were on the right track.
I entered the kitchen, going for the refrigerator. Mom had the backdoor open while she was cooking. I started snooping around for something as Sam peeked outside.
"How long have they been out there," Sam asked.
"Fifteen minutes," Mom answered. "Dinner will be ready soon, Danny. Don't spoil your dinner."
"I won't," I remarked. I grabbed the gallon of milk and grabbed a glass. After I filled my glass up, I returned the jug. I looked at the stove. Mom was making chicken. "That looks great."
"Thanks," Mom smiled.
"Girls, boys," Sam called out. "Come in so you can clean up."
"Mommy," Lilly called out happily. I could hear their feet running as they came inside. "How was your first day back to school?"
"Hectic," Tucker sighed. "The A-List completely turned our system on its head. It's going to take a few days to straighten everything out."
"You'll take care of it," Mom smiled at us.
"Okay, youngsters," Tucker said. "Up the stairs."
"You okay, Mama," Megan asked me, looking up at me.
I bent down. "I'm fine, Megan. Thanks for asking. How are you, sweetheart?"
"I'm fine. I'll be better when it's summer again."
I smiled. "Go wash up." I straightened myself, the smile becoming harder to hold. I took a breath, taking a seat at the table.
"Are you all right," Mom asked me.
"My chest feels kind of tight," I said, swallowing. "Just breathing." I sucked in a slow breath.
"You need some space," Sam asked me, stopping from following the kids.
"No," I said, shaking my head. I released another breath. After the weekend Sam, the kids and I had, I thought I was doing better. Now, I feel the walls caving in.
"Some days are better than others," Danielle remarked, pulling out a chair. She sat down beside me. "He's had a lot happen today." She looked in my eyes. "You need to distance yourself."
"I'm not giving up on my children," I defended.
"You don't have to," Mom said, walking over to Danielle and I. She knelt down between us, looking between us. "Taking some time for yourself, giving yourself distance is not giving up. It helps in the long run."
"I'm going to watch the kids," Sam remarked. She and Tucker shared a look and I knew they had already had the conversation. Was it mental? Did they meet without me knowing it? I think I've been with them all day. Who knows? They could have talked yesterday.
"I'll be okay," I answered Mom. "I'm just a little stressed." It was a long shot. "Any chance I can have a beer?"
"When you turn twenty-one," Mom retorted.
"That's what I thought," I grumbled. It probably wouldn't help anyway. I throw up any consumed alcohol. Even when I spiked my coffee I couldn't keep it down.
(04)
Dinner was served and the kids went to play in the bedroom. I could hear them squealing in delight and play fighting but I couldn't find any joy from the sounds. I felt nauseas. I felt boxed in.
I grabbed my coat for pretenses. "I'm going for a walk," I remarked. "Call me on my cell if you need me."
"You want any company," Sam asked me, looking concerned.
"No," I said, looking down. "I just need to be alone, honey. I'm sorry."
"It's okay," Sam said, touching my shoulder. "Take someone with you, please. I don't want you really alone."
"I can handle myself," I nodded. I kissed her cheek but Sam grabbed my arm.
"I love you," Sam said, pressing her lips to mine. I kissed her back.
"I love you, too, Sam. I love our entire family."
I slipped my coat on, going outside. I walked down the block, circling back and turning invisible before I was in sight of Fentonworks. I phased through the basement and went in the Ghost Zone.
I transformed once I was safely in the Ghost Zone and flew to the market in our region. It was a regular market, no contraband. I walked around the stands but nothing interested me. I took some samples but nothing fit my taste.
I left the market, doing something I didn't really want to do. It wasn't hard to find the black market. Hopefully no one will recognize me as the King. If anyone recognizes me as Danny Phantom, there's not that much danger. But if they think I'm there as King, they could close up the market. I'd hate to fly to a different region to get my good.
I knew who to avoid. There were those ghosts that gave me a weary look, wondering what my next move would be. I passed them up. Finally, I saw a ghost who didn't seem to be aware of my status. I floated up to his stand.
"I need some fear," I replied. "I only have American currency."
"I can help you," he answered. "Come with me." He took me to his sample wall and allowed me to sample them. It wasn't as potent as my previous purchase but it would do. It cost forty-five dollars and I left the area.
(04)
I was still a little jumpy from my fear fix. I had inhaled it on the Ops Center and while it was small and concentrated, it was strong for a single dose. I entered our bedroom, seeing Sam tucking Megan in her crib while Lilly waited to be tucked in her big girl bed. Sam placed Megan's stuffed dog in her arms, kissing her head. "I love you, lady bug."
"I love you, too, Sam," Megan replied. She held her stuffed dog to her chest. Sam turned around, picking up Lilly. "Hey, Lilly Bear. It's time for bed."
"Okay," Lilly smiled. "Uncle Tucker read to me so I don't need my story."
"Are you sure," Sam asked. She placed her in her bed, pulling the covers up to her nose.
"I'm sure," Lilly said, snuggling in the covers. Sam picked up Lilly's new bear—I have no idea what this one's name is—and Lilly hugged him. "Night, Mommy. I love you."
"I love you, too, sweetheart," Sam said. She kissed Lilly's head. "If you need me, baby, I'm here."
"Night."
"Goodnight."
Sam turned out the lights in my nursery, passing me by my door. "I'm going to shower. You want to join me?"
"I'd love to," I said, taking her hand. My muscles were jittery, flexing on their own.
"Something wrong," Sam asked.
"No," I denied, following Sam down the hall. Once we knew the bathroom was empty, I closed the door and hit the lights, plunging the bathroom in complete darkness. Sam pushed herself against me and my lips captured hers. We got a little rough in the shower but we didn't have sex. After we'd bathed, we went to our love shack. I could feel my hormones swelling and my sex drive increasing.
"Something's wrong," Sam repeated again, interrupting my concentration. I threw her on the bed, coming on top of her. "Danny, talk to me!"
"I don't want to talk," I said, sucking on her neck. Sam reflexed away from me.
"Stop," Sam demanded. At first, I didn't think she was serious. I went to kiss her on the lips when she kneed me in the stomach. It didn't hurt but I got she was serious. "Get away from me," Sam demanded, standing up. She grabbed a robe from the closet.
"Sam," I said, furrowing my brow. What's wrong with her?
"I don't care to get rough, Danny Fenton, but when I say stop I mean stop," Sam hissed.
"I didn't think—," I began, my speech slow.
"No, you didn't," Sam declared, tightening the robe. "Now, until you talk to me, you can stay right here for all I care about."
"I don't get what your problem is," I declared. I stood up, opening a dresser and pulling out a pair of underwear.
"I'm not the one with a problem," Sam declared.
"You think I have a problem," I asked, incredulously. "I'm not the one who led you on and stopped cold in my tracks."
"Do you think I wanted to stop," Sam asked. "You're different and I want to know what's going on!"
"How am I different," I asked.
"I don't know," Sam declared. "You seem—different. I haven't ever seen you so un-you."
"I'm different, you've never seen me act this way but you can't pinpoint what's wrong?"
"Damnit, Danny, I know you! I can feel when you aren't yourself. This isn't just the illness. This is something different and I don't know what."
"I feel sexually charged, okay," I said, grabbing a pair of blue jeans. I slipped them on just as the door opened.
"Oh, no," Mom declared, her eyes widening. "I'm too late? I just heard something."
"We didn't do anything," Sam said, heading to the door. "When you're ready to talk, you can come to bed."
"Sam," I said, stepping towards her.
"Stay away from us," Sam retorted, going behind Mom.
"What was that about," Mom asked, looking to me.
I grabbed a t-shirt. "I have no idea." I slipped it on. "We were getting hot after our shower, I thought she wanted it and then she just stopped. She says I'm different. I don't get what her problem is."
"Has she ever stopped you before," Mom asked.
I walked around the bed, sitting down on the end. "No. Not like this. She's not been in the mood and I've had similar instances but never have we been so intimate and she cut it off so abruptly."
"Maybe she's sick," Mom asked.
"I don't think so," I said, sighing. Am I really different? "Could she be mad at me," I asked, looking to Mom.
"Mad at you about what," Mom asked then she gasped. "No, Danny. Sam is not mad at you because you're sick."
"What else could it be," I said, hanging my head in my hands. I exhaled slowly. "I've pushed her too much and now she's moving away from me. Maybe it's for the best."
The bed shifted from below me and I looked at Mom as she sat down. "You two need to have a conversation. Sam loves you, Danny. This hurts her. The last thing she wants to do is drive a wedge between the two of you. I know she wants to talk this through. Be honest with her."
"I don't know what to say to her," I groaned. "She thinks I'm different but I haven't done anything."
"Did you get into anything when you were out," Mom asked me, giving me a stern look. She moved in, waving her hand in front of my mouth. "You didn't drink, thank God."
"Mom," I said, my voice a little hesitant, "what happens to a ghost when they inhale human fear in one setting?"
"My guess is it would be like drugs to a human," Mom remarked. I covered my mouth. "Why? What does that have to do with anything?"
"I know what's wrong now," I said, standing up. "Thanks, Mom."
"Take it slow, Danny. I don't want you having sex, at least not for a while."
"I love ya, Mom," I smirked. If I can get my way, I'll be on her good side by tomorrow night. I know my chances of getting any tonight are shot.
I left our love shack and went down the hall. I knocked on our door. A moment later, Sam opened the door but only a crack. "What do you want," Sam asked. She had the robe on but I could see her pajamas on under the robe.
"Can we talk on the Ops Center," I asked.
"Up there, in here or in our love shack, it doesn't matter," Sam said, her voice harsh.
"I promise, Sam. I won't touch you unless you ask," I said, holding my hands out. My throat clogged. She thought I was going to rape her. I guess I was trying to.
"Okay," Sam said. She stepped out, closing the door behind her. We went down the hall, opening the door that lead to the stairway going to the Ops Center. It was a narrow flight of stairs and only one of us could pass at a time. I led us up the stairs. I opened the door, allowing her to step out on the roof of the old fire station that once made up Fentonworks. There was a door that was the entrance to the jet but we wouldn't be going that far. I stepped up to the ledge, leaning on the metal bar. It wasn't where I usually sat but it was a good place for some privacy.
"I'm so sorry, Sam," I said, looking over the town. Sam leaned against the railing, her close enough to me that I could keep her warm. She wasn't touching me but she didn't need to. Her own ghost powers would keep her from freezing. "I-I didn't know you were serious. I'm so sorry I made you uncomfortable."
"What's wrong with you," Sam asked, not beating around the bush.
"I went into the Ghost Zone. I wanted to get some fear. I've-I've kind of had some over my travels. The legal stuff wasn't strong enough for me, Sam, so I bought the contraband kind. I think I was high, Sam."
Sam nodded. "That makes sense."
"I'm so sorry, Sam. I shouldn't have touched that stuff." I hung my head. "I'll leave you alone tonight but I promise, sweetheart, I won't do that ever again."
Sam turned to me, touching my face. "Get ahold of yourself, Danny. You have a family who needs you. Drugs, alcohol, emotions; none of that helps, baby. We're the only thing you need. Pull your strength from us."
"I will," I said, looking down. I used extreme caution not to touch her, pinning my hands to my side. How her skin called out to me, though. All I wanted was her.
"Touch me, Danny," Sam whispered. My fingers delicately touched her arm and I anticipated any regrets. There was none. I used my left hand to rub her arm, still anticipating her to change her mind. Finally, my lips graced hers and she began to kiss me back. My heart beat fast as I began to push the throttle again. I feared she'd ask me to stop again. Sam wrapped her right hand around my neck, her wrist cradling the base. I kissed her deeper, tempting fate.
(04)
She didn't ask me to stop. I had phased us to the bedroom shortly after we began but she never asked me to stop. We spent the night, wrapped up in each other. I awoke to the door opening and Mom's groan. "Now I'm too late!"
I sat up, stretching. Sam sat up next to me, using my body to shield her from my mom. I wrapped my arm around Sam, adding extra protection. "We'll be up in a minute."
"What part of taking it slow did you not get," Mom groaned. "Downstairs! Two minutes!"
"We'll be down in a bit," Sam replied. Mom closed the door, allowing Sam to stand up. She didn't have her robe in the proper place because she was wearing it when we began to undress. I stood up, helping her search for her clothes. Once she had protection, I grabbed my underwear.
"I love you, Sam," I said, rubbing my hand up her arm.
Sam put her hand on my shoulder, kissing me. "I love you so much, Danny."
She went to shower first. I put on my jeans, following her out of our love shack with my shirt over my arm. I went down to the basement. I would have to compete for the shower from Danielle. I had to move fast or I'd be creating my shower this morning instead of Danielle.
(04)
Danielle was still grumbling as we sat down at the table. I grabbed a piece of bacon, popping it in my mouth. "You snooze, you lose, cuz."
"Mom played unfair," Dani grumbled. "I can't wait until you move out!"
I laughed. "Well, I love you too."
"This house is getting too small," Dani retorted. She started laughing, though, losing the frustrated act.
Sam came down the steps, dressed in a black skirt that went to her knees. She wore a short-sleeved black blouse that dipped to her bosom. Her hair was pinned up.
"Wow, Sam," Mom commented. "You looked stunning, dear."
"I feel great," Sam smiled. She sat down, beginning to eat her mushroom tofu scramble. Mine and Sam's eyes met across the table and the electricity kicked up. The lights flickered, an artificial breeze filling the room.
"Not again," Mom cried out. As soon as Sam and I broke our gaze, it ended. "What the hell is going on with the two of you?"
"Why did it do that," Sam asked, furrowing her brow. "We're back together. It's not necessary."
"Do you know how many times I went back to Vlad, vowing I'd never leave him again," I asked, raising my eyebrow. "It's probably mine, saying I'll be damned if you give this one up!" I cracked a smile.
"Well, it doesn't have to worry," Sam smiled. "Nothing is ever going to break us apart again."
Sam went back to eating her scramble as I began to eat my eggs. Sam, Danielle and I finished eating breakfast at the same time. We collected our laptops and book bags, meeting Tucker, Valerie and Brit at school. Tucker picked up the girls while Sam took Dani and me to school. I still didn't have a vehicle. Mom nearly had a duck half when I asked for that bike. I'll get it when I graduate.
The school was leading everyone to the gym as instructed when we arrived. I could already see the A-List brooding about the prospect of changing the setup. Just trying to figure out where a teacher's classroom was proved to be difficult. Now we had to have five minutes at the beginning and the end of each class with it looking like a state room of a palace. We were going to control this circus, though.
Tucker and I had our first block together but Sam had a different class. It wouldn't matter, though, because soon enough we could meet up. We were led back to the classroom but just thinking about sitting down on that couch was intimidating. It looked like a bed or something. Tucker and I ended up sitting in the corner, in the floor.
"Welcome, class. My name is Mr. Gregory. We will be continuing the lesson plans but we will have to meet here for the first five minutes and the last five minutes of class. When you come back, we will go back to the gym to collect our second block classes. Your assignments are in your inboxes and the lecture is on the wall. Please wait for the bell to ring before dismissing yourselves. Of course, you are welcome to stay in the classroom. If you need anything, I will be in my office."
Most ignored him but once he stopped talking, I looked to Tuck. "I think we should make rooms like this so the students can have a place to come. Maybe we can start to redesign the school. Create a place to learn, a private study for the teachers, and a student-lounge, of sorts."
"I guess," Tucker sighed. "It's the end of November. We've only got six more months until we graduate. I never imagined having to work so hard so close to the end of our school careers."
"I know," I nodded, hanging my head. "But it's our jobs, Tucker. Even after we graduate and even after we go to school in the fall, we'll still be responsible for the town."
"Are we still going to school in the fall," Tucker asked, looking up at me. "I mean, we didn't even know if you'd be back for graduation. We kind of put an indefinite halt on the idea of college."
"We still have to stick to the plan, Tucker. If we don't do it before 2012, it won't get done."
"You're right," Tucker sighed. "God, how much longer do we have?"
"I don't know," I sighed. "All I know is it happens in 2012 or 2013. My future-self thought twenty years after the portals opened. Later, I got a more detailed year. The portals opened eight years after I became half ghost."
"2012 or 2013," Tucker huffed. "It's happening too fast, Danny. Before we know it, the Battle of Amity Park will be here."
"June 16, 2035," I remembered off the top of my head. "The boys won't even be ten years old, Tucker, and they're going to lose their sister."
"No, they won't," Tucker said, putting his hand on my shoulder. "We're going to protect our family. No one is going to die that day. At least none of us will. We'll retreat before we lose anyone."
"That's your plan," I asked, looking at him. "Fight until it's either we die or they escape. Why not just let them get out?" I wasn't serious but it might as well have been an option.
"Because we're going to be stronger," Tucker said firmly. "We will not be unprepared. We have four to five years before the portals bust open and we have twenty-seven years before the battle. We have time to get better. We aren't going to lose anyone. I'm drawing a line. We won't lose any children to this cause. Die ourselves, we may, but we will not sacrifice our children for this."
"We can't make that line," I sighed. "Sam and I have discussed it. We will raise our kids thinking these powers are natural. Not everyone has ghost powers like not everyone has black hair, but just because you have black hair doesn't mean you have to do a certain thing, either. I will not expect my children to continue my work. They are kids, Tucker. I'm not raising warriors."
"It's good to protect them, Danny," Tucker said softly, "but we are raising fighters. Do you think the ghosts are going to leave them alone? Do you think Lilly and Megan will never be targeted?"
"Do you think I won't have protection on my children," I asked, looking to him. "I'm the King of the Ghost Zone, Tucker. If I can't protect my children, no one can."
"Do you want to raise fighters or victims," Tucker asked me. "They're you're children, Danny. They will follow in their father's footsteps. They will inherit the name of their father, Danny. Your legacy is too big to skip your children."
I took a deep breath. "I'm not suggesting they can escape it. God only knows I wished they could. I'm just saying my children won't have to do anything because of who their parents are. Do you want Courtney to inherit the legacy of her father?"
"And her mother," Tucker asked, looking to me. "You have no idea how scared that makes me. Will she be half ghost? Will she don her mother's suit? Will she be normal? We have no idea."
"And neither do I," I said sheepishly. "I've seen her when she's young but that's it. I have no idea of her future after she turns sixteen."
"She's okay, isn't she," Tucker asked. "When is the last time you see Valerie? Me?"
I looked down. "I don't see Valerie after another forty years. I didn't see her or Courtney during the genocide attack. You, the last time I see you alive is when you're in your early nineties. I saw you as a ghost after that, though."
"Do you think something happens to them," Tucker asked me.
I looked down. "I don't know, Tucker." I sighed. "My dreams are weird. I can't control what they tell me. I don't even know how many kids Brit has. Once the war becomes the focus of our lives, I'm limited in what I see. If it doesn't have to do with ghosts or the war, I have no idea."
"So maybe they just aren't involved."
"Anything's possible."
The bell rang but there was a layer of depression over us like a heavy blanket. We're going to lose people in this war and I don't know who. Sammy is just the beginning. I wished I had the answers he seeks. All I know is we'll be together in the end.
AN: Heh, yeah, I forgot I had a chapter to post today. I had already proofread it so you guys were in luck. It just took me twenty minutes to get it uploaded. Sorry. :-/
Okay, any reviews would be appreciated! Thanks for reading! I'll try to get Chapter thirteen up early tomorrow. Later :)
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