"Two quotation marks means speech or emphasis on a word."

'One quotation mark means thought.'

Italics mean heavy emphasis on a word, lyrics/song titles, or written/digital text.

Chapter XIII: Concerns and Confessions

Darkness. It's the first thing Danny notices as he surfaces from the realm of morpheus and as he takes in his surroundings, the memories from the previous night come flooding back. His situation is made all the more real as he feels a shifting weight on his chest.

The glow that emanates from her flame-like hair acts as a night-light, giving a gentle glow to the immediate area and making it easier to take in his surroundings. It takes a considerable effort to keep his heartbeat in check as the reality of his current situation takes hold.

After the events that left his previous relationship in shambles, Danny had fallen into depression and deals with the consequent emotional and mental issues that follow to this day. At times he feels inadequate, damaged. He feels as if he is unworthy of love, trust, care, and other such things. Up until recent developments he believed that he would quite possibly spend the rest of his days alone, unable to form deep emotional connections.

He and Ember coming together has had a major impact on him, both positive and negative. Due to his trauma every small emotion he feels in regards to her is amplified, the small loving smiles, the gazes that hold nothing but admiration and care, the intense emotional anguish he experiences upon hearing more and more of her tragic past. Every bit of it sends lightning bolts of emotion through him.

As his gaze falls from the soft glow of her flaming locks, he takes notice of her position. Half of her small frame is atop him as she lies on her side. One of her legs intertwined with his, and an arm wrapped firmly across his torso and a serene expression lies upon her features. His own arms are wrapped loosely around her frame, one hand resting upon her side, the other against the small of her back. The sight of her seeming so at peace like this causes his heart to clench, and his eyes to sting as he struggles to contain his raging emotions. Just knowing that she trusts him enough to not only share a room with him, but also a bed (however makeshift it may be), gives him a sense of joy. However, he can't help but question her decision to trust him despite the near limitless ocean of positive emotions flooding his senses, he can't help but hear that small nagging thought in the back of his mind. 'What if.' What if one of his adversaries learns of their relationship? What if they target her to get to him? What if she gets hurt because of him? But the most fear-inducing 'what if' of all may just be the loudest. What if she gets killed because of him?

His arms unconsciously tighten their hold on her, and his face takes on a stony look of grim determination. Danny is no fool, he isn't so blinded by his emotions as to think that Ember can't protect herself. Yet, he would be an idiot to think that she could take on one of his stronger adversaries single handedly. Foes on the same level as Pariah Dark, Dan Phantom, or Plasmius could toy with her in combat, and possibly do serious harm in the process. Even the new prototypical weapons that Skulker is beginning to use worry him. Regardless of this, Danny makes a silent vow to himself that no matter what he will do whatever it takes to keep her not just safe, but happy. He will throw his half-life away to keep this promise if need be.

These thoughts lead him to question just how deep his feelings run for her. Something he had discovered long ago is that love isn't a complicated thing. The things that come with it, on the other hand, are another story. There's a simple truth about love. Contrary to popular belief, it can take a remarkably short time to love someone. It's the admittance to loving that person that can take weeks, months, or even years. Once you start noticing positive things about someone you can't help but notice every little positive detail. Then you notice how much they care for you, the ways they show it, and as you begin to realize just how much you look forward to interacting with them, you've fallen for them and don't even know it. It's the fear of rejection or the possibility of it being 'too soon' that delays most people saying those incredibly powerful three little words.

Danny's drawn back into reality by the feeling of Ember shifting atop him. "Danny?" Her voice is rough from disuse and her drowsiness is clear as she calls out to him.

He gives her a light but firm squeeze in response. "I'm still here, rockstar."

Glancing down at her, he can see the concern in the vibrant green eyes that stare back at him. "Your heart is beating really fast." She says, placing a hand on his chest just above the organ in question. "You're shaking too, what's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"

Despite the rough, and admittedly attractive quality of her voice, he would've had to have been deaf not to hear the obvious concern. He mentally chastises himself for not noticing his rapid heartbeat or shakiness."No, I-" His words seem to fail him and he takes a deep calming breath. "I didn't mean to wake you up. I was just doing some thinking, and… I'm worried, Amber."

Ember raises an eyebrow and adjusts herself so that her head is resting atop his arm, her eyes meeting his. "Worried about what?"

"Even though we just got together, I'm worried about losing you." He answers honestly, "I've spent so much time alone that I forgot what it was like to worry so much over someone. At one time I thought it was impossible, but my parents have become competent when it comes to dealing with ghosts, and Tucker has been by my side since day one, so he's no stranger when it comes to the dangers of the paranormal world. I haven't had to worry about them for a long time. But now that I have you, even though I can still barely believe you care so deeply about me, I'm scared to lose you."

"How could I not care about you?" She whispers harshly, her voice filled with care and indignation at the thought, "After everything we've been through over the years. Not long after we became enemies I started to look forward to our little spats. It was honestly the best thing I had in my afterlife. Don't get me wrong, I still love my music and sure, it sucked getting my ass kicked every time we would come to blows, but I gave as good as I got and once you'd send me back to the GZ I would look back on our fights fondly. Both the physical and verbal."

Danny allowed himself a small smile at her words. He would be lying to himself if he didn't admit the same.

"After a while going to Amity was the only thing that made me happy, and once I pieced it together that it was running into you that made me happy, my feelings for you only grew from there. And after the whole 'Disasteroid' thing, I finally admitted to myself that I had a crush on you. But I always figured that it would be just that, a crush. I never expected things to turn out this way, but I can't say that I regret any of it." Ember says passionately.

"I certainly don't regret it either, and I'm sorry it took me so long to return those feelings." Danny says.

"Don't be." She mutters, as she shifts once more to her previous position. "We're together now, and that's all that matters to me."

Glancing at the nearby clock, Danny sees that only a few hours have passed since they initially fell asleep. Almost on queue a yawn emanates from Ember.

Danny smiles fondly, "There's still plenty of time to sleep, get some more rest."

"Only if you promise to go back to sleep too." She says, poking his bare chest.

"Of course." he says. Moments later, he speaks once more, "I know you can hold your own in a fight, but I would do anything to keep you safe, you know that right?"

"What do you mean?" Ember asks, her drowsiness forgotten.

"Well, someday there may be someone that learns of our relationship and tries to use it against me. After all, even though I'm trying my best to build bridges here in the Ghost Zone, there will always be those who see me as an enemy. And some of them might be powerful, possibly more powerful than not just you, but both of us." Danny explains, "I don't know what I would do if something happened to you because of me."

His words are raw and filled with emotion and the near panic induced heartbeat and shaking are renewed. Ember notices the obvious distress and is touched deeply by just how much Danny has come to care about her in such a short time.

Danny feels a small hand on his cheek as his head is gently, but firmly, turned towards his girlfriend. Only once their eyes meet does she notice the unshed tears in his eyes. "Oh, Danny…" She mutters sorrowfully, her heart clenching at the sight. In that moment, Ember does the only thing she can think of and brings her lips to his in a tender but emotion filled kiss.

His eyes unconsciously drift shut and he brings his free hand to cup her cheek gently. The feeling of her lips against his is just as indescribable as the first time, and the emotions he can feel coming from her are just as intense and reassuring. As the kiss ends and she pulls away to look into his eyes once more, Danny can see the unfiltered love behind those light green orbs. "It means a lot that you care so much, but you know it's incredibly difficult to kill a ghost."

"Exactly, incredibly difficult, but not impossible. Even if they can't kill you, that doesn't mean they can't capture you or hurt you or both." He replies, heatedly, "And that's what I'm worried about. I don't want you to get hurt or worse, kidnapped, because of me."

She cups his face once more, and he leans into her touch. His nerves calming slightly at the action, "If that happens I have no doubt that you'll rescue me. Then we can kick their ass together."

Danny lets out a frustrated breath. Her words force him to realize the unwavering faith she has in him, and he knows that he's allowing his fears to have a stranglehold on his emotions. "I worry about you too." He hears Ember say, her voice nearly a whisper.

"What?" He asks, confused.

"I'm not blind, Danny." She says, "I know you're strong. Stronger than most of the ghosts in the GZ. But that doesn't mean that there aren't stronger ones. Hell, there could even be ghost hunters or scientists that one day develop something that can kill us. I can't help but ask myself what would I do if they just so happen to come after you."

That was something he hadn't really thought about. At least not until his fears from earlier surfaced. He knew for a fact that there were still ghosts around that were more powerful and certainly more experienced than he was. Yet the idea of ghost hunters being able to kill him or take away his powers hadn't clicked before. He didn't even believe such a thing was possible until his recent run-in with Skulker.

Despite his constant worrying about what could happen to Ember, he didn't stop to think about what could happen to him and what effect it would have on her. "Damn it." He muttered harshly.

"You're right." He admits, "I was so worried about what might happen to you that I didn't even consider what could happen to me."

He expects one of the witty biting sarcastic remarks he's come to love come from his girlfriend, but instead she only rolls her eyes and sincerity fills her voice once more, "I wouldn't expect any less. You're always putting everyone else's issues before your own. I think it's about time someone helped you fix that, don't you? After all, we have to make sure you come back to me at the end of the day."

"I think I'd like that." Danny responds, sincerely.

"Good, because I wasn't really giving you a choice." Ember says matter-of-factly. Which draws a small laugh from him, "Now, I want to go back to sleep and you make a great pillow, so get comfortable so I can sleep."

His lips pull into a smile and he gives her a gentle kiss on her forehead, "As you wish, my lady."

With his fears quelled for the time being, he decides to focus on the moment. Danny admires the wonderful girl he has grown to care for. It isn't long before her breathing evens out once more and she returns to her slumber.

As fatigue once more grips him and his eyelids begin to fall once more, he confirms just how deep his feelings run as he says the one thing he's been wanting to say ever since that first kiss, "I love you, Amberlyn McLain"

Unbeknownst to him, she had heard every word.

Yeesh. It's been too long since I've done this. For those of you who would like an update on my health, first and foremost thank you for caring, second I've yet to undergo surgery due to some complications that have come up. Nothing serious, but my doctor is having to find alternatives for his initial plan.

Anyway, moving on from that, I hope I haven't lost my touch too badly. Writing this chapter (And using the previous one for reference on where to pick up) I can't help but notice my writing style in the earlier chapters is… lacking in places. I don't know when I'll do it, but I'm gripped by the urge to go back and improve on existing chapters.

Regardless, that's something for another day. As for right now, I hope you have enjoyed my return chapter, and I'll see you all next time! I hope you all have a wonderful day! -DraconicAnarkhy