A/N: Wow guys sorry for this chapter taking so long. It's also really short so I apologize again. I just finished with my school semester so this is really the first chance I'm having to actually do some writing. The chapter is short because I felt I got through everything I needed to say in the chapter. Sorry if it sounds bad or isn't good enough. I know that my first two chapters were a lot better than most of the others have been so I do apologize.

Anyway Enjoy the chapter! I can't wait to hear what you think of it!

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Chapter 7 – Tears Return; They'll never know…

Despite the size of the crowd there was very little noise. Everyone knew why they were gathered there, and nearly everyone in town had shown up. They all gathered around the new statue built at the entrance to the city's park. The tall marble statue of Danny Fenton standing beside his ghost counterpart Danny Phantom was new and perfectly smooth.

A stage was set up not far from the statue. The new mayor of the town had personally paid for the memorial, so that even if anyone disapproved of honoring a ghost, there would be no one who could stop the statue's placement, and at the dedication service two rows of seating were reserved for family and friends of the hero who was now known throughout the town. All of the seats were filled except for one.

Sam lightly pushed her feet against the ground, resting on the swing set where they had wasted so much time. She knew she'd eventually have to go back and apologize for storming out again; but why was it her fault? What right did Dash have to talk about how great Danny Phantom was after everything he'd put her best friend through? And those people from the city who treated his ghost form as a menace… How dare they stand there and hold a memorial service! They didn't even care when it happened! He was just some kid to them! Only one year ago they had hated him!

One year ago…

Had it only been that long? It felt like an eternity. An eternity since she had seen his face, or held his hand. She'd nearly said it a few times. She knew he wasn't going to for fear of ruining their friendship… why hadn't she just said it? Maybe if she had, he wouldn't have flown off that day…

Her eyes moistened, but she buried her face in her hands before any tears could fall.

She wanted to run away and forget anything ever happened. She wanted to fight ghosts like it was just a fun thing to do with her friends. She wanted things to go back to the way they were. But she knew they never would… She couldn't go back in time even if she wanted to. Her only chance of doing that was Clockwork and he had immediately moved his domain after the first time she asked.

Stupid ghosts! What good could come from losing Danny! He had saved them all! They'd be slaves of the Ghost King if it weren't for him! And this is how they show their gratitude!?

"I wish to go where I need to be."

Sam shot up from the swing. That was Desire's voice, but from where? Sam looked around nervously. Seconds passed and nothing happened. She was about to relax when an eerie green light lit the area around her. Sam turned to see a portal into the ghost zone.

She reached to her belt for the Fenton thermos but it wasn't there. In the end she didn't need it because the portal closed a few seconds later without anything passing through it.

The small orb floated beside the girl seeing the scared look on her face as she approached the space where the portal had been. That's right… I said I'd never leave her. But I left her… I'm sorry. I won't break my promise again. It followed beside her as she ran back to where a large crowd of people were gathered around a statue.

"Sam! Where did you go? It's nearly-"

"There was a ghost portal." Sam panted, finally reaching Tucker.

"What?! Where?"

"It was up at the park. It just opened then closed a few seconds later."

Tucker swore under his breath and glanced over at the Fentons. Their usual ghost detection gear would alert them if a ghost got close, but the portal may not have been close enough. "Alright let's go." Tucker edged over to Jazz to let her know what was going on before running off the stage with Sam. Many in the crowd noticed their departure and a few teenagers followed them.

By the time Tucker and Sam had reached the swings, Dash and the others had caught up. "What's going on?" Quan asked. Sam rolled her eyes. She didn't want the jocks here anymore than Paulina and Valarie who were just coming over the hill.

"Not sure. It could be nothing." The teens looked among themselves as Tucker explained, "You're sure this is where the portal opened, Sam?"

"I'm sure. It was there for half a minute then it just closed up. But before it opened I heard Desire's voice." She stood directly behind him.

Tucker continued scanning the area. He was so used to the ghost technology by now. The small orb brightened slightly feeling impressed. A small blip sounded from the scanner and Tucker turned back to stare at where the ecto-energy had been, but the only one there was Sam.

"What?"

"How close were you to the portal?"

Sam stood straight, "maybe a foot away? Why?"

Tucker looked her over before finding a small glob of ectoplasm stuck to her hair. He lightly pulled it out and stuck it in the scanner. It was a weak reading, nothing more than a natural weakening in the barrier between worlds. He explained this, and a look of relief passed through the group.

"But what about the voice?" asked Valarie. She had her own gear running a wider scan of the area.

Paulina scoffed, "The paranoid Goth probably just imagined it."

"I am not paranoid!"

Dash grabbed Paulina and Tucker grabbed Sam before the argument could get worse. Valarie confirmed Tuckers analysis a moment later and the tension died down. The other teens headed back to the memorial ceremony leaving Sam and Tucker alone.

"I know I heard Desire. I wasn't just imagining it."

"I believe you Sam, but maybe she was just passing by where the portal opened. She might not have even noticed it."

"She said, 'I wish to go where I need to be.' That doesn't sound like just passing by." Sam rubbed her arms as a cold wind blew through the area.

"Sam… Desire can't make wishes for herself."

"I know but…" Sam looked toward where the portal had been. Would he think she was going crazy if she told him? "For a moment… I thought that I heard Danny's voice blended with Desire's…"

"Sam…"

"I know! I know it's crazy but I heard it!"

"Sam."

"He's not dead Tucker! We just have to find him!"

"SAM!" Tucker grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her into a hug. "He's gone, Sam! Danny is NEVER coming back!"

She tried to push him away. Beat her fists on his chest wishing he would let her go. Why can't he understand that Danny needs their help? Doesn't he care about his best friend anymore? He hangs out with those people who used to hurt him and Danny and he's forgotten all about his friend. "Let me go Tucker!"

"Not until you listen! This has gone on long enough!"

"Let me go!"

"Every weekend you're in the ghost zone looking for him! It's been a year Sam! He's not coming back! You can't keep going like this!"

LET GO OF HER! YOU'RE UPSETTING HER! The orb flew angrily at his former friend, but as expected its efforts did nothing.

"I'm fine! Let go of me already!" She pushed against him more but a year of solo ghost hunting and hanging out with the jocks had given Tucker enough muscle to keep her pinned.

"Do you really think we haven't noticed how tired you are!? You never sleep anymore! I've heard from your parents. You're always awake staring at his picture! This has to stop!"

"MAYBE I DON'T WANT IT TO STOP!"

"BUT HE WOULD!" Tucker yelled louder than he ever had in his life. Sam's struggles ceased. Tucker didn't loosen his grip but he spoke softly, "Danny would never want this. You're failing school. You're constantly exhausted. You're always yelling at your friends. You haven't even been to your favorite Goth book store in months. Danny wouldn't want to see you like this."

Sam's response came as a soft whimper, "What's the point? None of that will bring him back."

"Nothing will bring him back. Even if you could, Danny wouldn't want to come back if your life was the price." Sam said nothing. Though her crying grew louder. The memorial service was ending and their families would soon wonder where they were, but Tucker stayed where he was holding Sam close.

The orb floated beside them. Why is she crying? She wants someone to come back… Is it the boy of that statue back there?... It stared down the hill feeling that the spikey hair was familiar. Wait… That… that's me! How… How did I forget that?! What's going on with me?! But as the orb looked down the hill it realized there were a lot of other things it couldn't remember. Like 'how long had it been searching the ghost zone for whoever he was looking for?' and 'who were some of those people down there?' It easily recognized its family standing at the bottom of the hill waiting for Tucker and Sam.

Jazz… Danielle… Mom and Dad… the orb shivered. What's happening to me?

Desire's words came back to it, 'Do what you have to do then move on.'

But what is it that I have to do? Sam's sobs were softening and they started to make their way down the hill toward their families. I have to stay by Sam. I promised. As long as she needs me here, I'll never leave. With its decision made, the slightly dimmer orb followed Sam down the hill.