This chapter was started on 6/10/2024. Hoping to keep the ball rolling. I really need to get this done and posted!

TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of suicide.

I have a feeling a certain someone *cough SamXDanny cough* is going to squeal with this one.

Disclaimer: Butch Hartman owns DP, not I!

–

Chapter 16: Breaking Point

–

Danny sat on the end of the bed, head in his hands, tears rolling down his face. He couldn't believe they knew his darkest secret. No matter how much they said it was okay, and no matter how well he held himself together in front of them, he felt so much like a monster.

His fists balled in his hair, welcoming the pain as he pulled the white strands. It was as if he'd been punched in the gut and when the malevolent fist was removed, its voracious fingers had ripped out everything of meaning, shredding it all to pieces. Self-doubt and loathing boiled within his chest, swirling around and coalescing into leaden rock, sitting heavily on his heart. His fists tightened their grip, sobs shaking his shoulders.

He was completely falling apart, and for the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to. He was so tired of being strong all the time, so tired of being on high alert, both physically and mentally. He curled tighter in on himself, now practically in a little ball on the end of his bed. He let his emotions take over for once, chest painful.

His heart had shattered when he killed them and he wondered absently if it would ever be whole again. He certainly didn't deserve it.

There was a knock at his door and he looked up at it, barely able to see it through his tears. "Danny, can I come in?" Sam's soft and gentle voice said from the other side of the wooden door.

The half ghost didn't really want her to see him like this, and was ready to tell her no, when Vlad's urging came to his mind.

"But perhaps-" he placed a hand on Sam's back and gently pushed her forward and out of her chair towards Danny. "You have something to keep you grounded."

The internal struggle seemed to drag on, but in reality it was only a few seconds. Finally, "Yeah," he responded, voice thick with emotion, head going back to its original position.

When Sam entered and saw the state he was in, her heart clenched. She quickly closed the door and went over to him, sitting next to her best friend on the bed. He wouldn't look at her, and it tore at her to know he was in so much pain.

This man had always been a hero in her eyes, even before he got ghost powers. As a young kid, if others were getting bullied, he'd often take the bully's attention off their victim and end up being the one stuffed in a locker, or going home with bruises. Most would have called him a loser, but Sam saw the hero in him, the kind and gentle soul who stood up for others, regardless of the cost to himself.

Then, after he became half ghost, he always charged headlong into danger with no regard to his own safety. His fight with Pariah was a good example of that. Sam hated feeling helpless as Danny got wailed on time and time again, doing his best to keep people safe whilst his grades and relationship with his family suffered.

Not once did he think twice or hesitate to do it.

Now, to see him drowning in misery, to know the things he'd been through the last four years, it nearly broke her.

She had just come from watching the videos Danny had given permission to see. While she, Tucker and his family had suffered emotionally from his absence, he was subjected to emotional, mental and physical trauma she could scarcely believe. She lost count on how many times he nearly died, from the blackhawk chopper, to his collar being turned on and kept on for extended periods of time, to being beaten nearly to death, to even being injected with poison.

Sam said nothing and instead wrapped her arms around him, pulling him to her so he could lean into her. The hybrid was taken aback by the gesture, but it also caused him to cry harder. He truly didn't deserve her and her kindness.

Sam's face was behind Danny's head, his shoulder in her chest. She rubbed his back as his crying began anew, the halfa breaking down in her arms. He pulled one of his hands from his hair and grabbed onto her arm that was wrapped around his front. He held her as if his life depended on it.

And still she said nothing.

Words could not help him; they would only sound empty. And she had a feeling he needed this release, so trying to get him to stop would be counterproductive. So, she waited, allowing him to release all his pent up emotions at his pace.

Finally, several minutes later, his sobs slowed, now replaced by hiccups from the heavy crying. He sniffed and rubbed his cheeks, finally pulling away from her. Sam released him, but kept a hand on his back.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice thick and gravelly.

The goth shook her head, hand rubbing circles around his mid back. "Don't be. I'm pretty sure you needed that."

He stared at the ground, feeling empty now, and still unable to look her in the eyes. He had put on a brave face earlier when they were talking in the living room, but he had really just wanted to run. He deserved accusation and malice and could not understand why they were so forgiving.

"Are you okay?" she ventured.

"Yeah," he responded out loud. ' No, but I can try my best to just pretend,' he thought to himself.

Her hand stopped its motion. "I know you a little better than that, Danny."

He sighed. "What do you want me to say?" he asked softly.

"The truth," she replied.

He felt annoyed at her insistence. "The truth?" he asked. "Alright. How about I hate the person I've become. How about I wish I had never gotten ghost powers," he said, voice betraying his frustration. "How about I wish I had died that day instead of being taken. How about I wish I had killed myself instead of you."

Sam removed her hand from his back, instead choosing to take his hand in hers. "I won't tell you not to feel that way. After seeing what I just did, I can completely understand it. But I hope that someday soon, you won't feel like that anymore."

Danny, surprised that she wasn't railing against him for his words, finally sat up, looking at her for the first time since she entered. "You almost sound like Jazz."

She gave him a small smile. "After four years of being really close to your family, I guess she rubbed off on me at least a little." She rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand. "I need to take DJ out…do you wanna come?" she asked tentatively.

The hybrid thought for a moment before nodding. "The cool air might help clear my head. I'll get cleaned up while you get DJ and I'll meet you at the door?"

"Sure," she replied, smiling at him. With a last squeeze to his hand, she got up and left. She shut the door and then leaned back against it, fighting her own tears.

After a moment she wiped them away with a determined look on her face. She would be strong for him. This time, Danny wasn't the hero; he needed a hero. And she would be the hero he needed.

–

As promised, Danny phased through the ceiling and met Sam at the door as she was zipping her coat. The border collie wagged his tail hard at seeing his second favorite person, tail slapping Sam's leg. The half ghost smiled at the enthusiastic dog, giving him a good scratch when DJ presented his rear for butt rubs.

When done, he stood and indicated at the door with his thumb. "You ready?"

"Yup!" she answered, following him as he opened the door and they exited.

Once outside, they walked in amicable silence, occasionally stopping for DJ to sniff or do his business.

The hybrid watched the goth out of the corner of his eye. He had always thought she was pretty, but she had grown into a beautiful woman. After what she had done for him upstairs, he was beginning to understand what Tucker had told him by the pool about finding the other half of his soul.

He wasn't healed, and didn't think he ever fully would be, but her actions in holding him and letting him just get it all out without judgment or reproach, did help to piece his heart back together, just a little bit.

He shyly reached over and grabbed her free hand, fingers intertwining with hers. If her cheeks weren't already red from the cold, she would've turned bright red.

This time, she watched him. He was in a white t-shirt and gray sweatpants, slippers on his feet. "I would ask if you're cold, but I guess being half ghost, it doesn't matter," she commented.

He chuckled. "In human form, I would be cold. But yes, my ghost half handles the cold much better, especially since I got my ice powers. I find it refreshing, actually."

They continued on, smiles on their faces from enjoying each other's company, and the little physical contact from their hands.

Sam couldn't remember the last time she felt like this. She was giddy like a schoolgirl, like she had been in high school around him after she realized she was beginning to see him as more than her best friend. It took her a while to figure it out, but she was pretty sure Danny was going to confess his own feelings for her the night he was taken. Knowing that had added to the hurt, for it made her mourn the life they could've had. Perhaps now though…they could restart.

She stopped, Danny walking ahead a step before realizing his arm hadn't come with him. He turned then, questioning look on his face and for a moment, Sam lost herself in him.

In the dark, the half ghost had a slight glow to him, giving him an ethereal air. His glowing neon green eyes also gave him an otherworldly look, and there was no doubt he was extremely handsome, even in ghost form. It all culminated in him looking nearly angelic in the moonlight.

"What?" He asked after a few moments. She was just staring at him…

The goth smiled. Not even really in response to him directly, but to his voice. Once that voice sent chills down her spine as it reminded her of his evil alternate self. Now it sent chills down her spine for a completely different reason. She found she was beginning to love the way it sounded on him. It suited his taller, muscular frame.

"Uh, earth to Sam?" He said in a way that reminded Sam so much of their younger selves.

Without another word, she stepped forward, completely surprising him when her lips crashed into his. Sam let the loop on DJ's leash fall to around her wrist and reached up, hand on the back of Danny's head.

The half ghost felt his heart flutter as her warm lips met his. Shock kept him frozen for a second before he let go of her hand, bringing both of his up, left hand gently caressing her cheek, right hand melding into her hair.

He tried to push away the feeling of disgust with himself and self-loathing. He was enjoying this and he felt he didn't deserve any of it. But dammit, why shouldn't he enjoy it?

Romance wasn't something he had experience with. Not much time for it when you're someone's super powered, ultimate weapon. The only true experience he had wasn't even real, but was those fake-out make-outs he had with Sam in high school when they were trying to hide his identity.

But he wanted more, so he deepened the kiss, pulling her against him, his heart pounding when she moaned into the kiss.

Sam's hand that he let go of wrapped around his back now, trying to bring herself as close to him as possible.

After a minute she pulled back breathless. He smiled, but was unable to form words. The happiness that spread through his cold limbs made him feel warm for a change.

Sam herself was feeling bold. "Could I…" she started, not entirely sure if she should ask, before swallowing her nervousness and charging ahead. "Could I stay with you tonight?"

Danny's eyebrows reached his hairline. "You mean to sleep or, uh…"

Sam blushed hard, looking down. "I'm not really sure yet…"

The half ghost cleared his throat. "Do you think it's kind of…fast?" he asked.

The goth shrugged. "I dunno…but I do know we would've been together the last four years if you hadn't been kidnapped. I know that I spent all that time with the same feelings," she explained. "But if you're not comfortable with it, we can just sleep," she quickly added, still unable to look at him.

Danny could feel his heart racing. "How about we just do whatever feels natural? If anything happens, it happens. If not, that's good, too. As long as I'm with you."

Sam looked up then, gaze shy, and nodded, letting him go but grabbing his hand.

They finished DJ's walk, talking about anything and everything, enjoying the chance to really just talk about things that didn't involve life or death.

The pair plus dog entered the house, Sam removing her coat and shoes, while Danny unleashed DJ.

They made their way upstairs when they met Jazz in the hallway, exchanging greetings. "Hey, Danny," she greeted brightly. "Do you have a minute? It won't take long."

"Sure," he replied, before gesturing towards his bedroom door. "I'll be in in a minute," he said to Sam. The goth nodded and disappeared into Danny's room with DJ.

Jazz simply stared.

Her brother waved a hand in her face. "Hello? Earth to Jazz? What did you need to talk about?"

His sister turned back to him, a knowing cheshire grin on her face. She waved his hand off. "That's not important right now. So…Sam in your room, huh?" she said, eyebrows waggling.

Danny pretended his face didn't go red. "It's not what you think," he said lamely.

The red-head rolled her eyes. "I'm not stupid, little brother. But I won't keep you. Have fun!" she giggled as she walked away.

Danny made an annoyed grunt before heading to his bedroom. Sam was lounging in one of the chairs when he entered. "What did Jazz want?" she asked.

The hybrid rubbed the back of his neck. "You know, I don't actually know."

Sam raised a brow, but didn't comment further. She stood from her chair and approached him, giving him an almost sultry look.

Danny swallowed, watching her. "Whatcha doing?" he asked, trying not to sound as nervous as he was.

The goth grinned, letting her own anxiousness fall away with the familiarity that was Danny. Why should she be nervous? She'd loved him for a long time now, likely before she ever even realized it.

Sam hooked a finger in the neckline of his shirt. "I decided I'm not that tired."

Danny was sure his face couldn't get any redder as she kissed him deeply.

–

Sam lay there taking deep breaths to calm her racing heart. Did they really just...

"Well, that was-"

"Amazing"

"-unexpected."

They shared glances after they finished the sentence together. Danny raised a brow. "Unexpected? It wasn't amazing for you?"

The question threw Sam off, but his slight smirk told her he was joking. She shook her head at his antics. "It was just..." She trailed off, sighing.

He turned to her, propping his head on his hand. "It was what?" he questioned.

Her face burned at his unabashedness. He lay there completely unashamed as he faced her, just as naked as the day he was born. It made her pull the sheet up just that much further. She may have initiated the whole thing, and he may have been the nervous one before they started, but the roles had definitely switched now.

She fidgeted with the edge of the sheet. "Well, I've never... You know." Her face flushed even brighter, if that were possible.

"That's why you asked me to be gentle."

She nodded. "Have you?" It was out before she could stop it. She hadn't meant to ask it! She wasn't sure she wanted to know.

"No," was his immediate answer. The look in his eyes proved he wasn't lying. "Because of that, I wasn't actually expecting you to say it was amazing. I don't exactly know what I'm doing," he blushed.

She grinned at his blush. So he could be embarrassed!

"It was okay."

"Just okay? Sam, you wound me." Danny dramatically placed a hand on his chest, making a show of looking hurt. She smacked his arm and he laughed.

After settling on his back again he asked her, "So, how come you haven't done it before?"

It was her turn to blush again. "I refused to believe you were dead. I was... Waiting for you."

He smiled sweetly, before taking pity on her and getting off the bed to put his pants on. He climbed back in and she turned away from him, letting him slide in behind her and put his arm around her.

"I did get a question answered," she said suddenly.

"Oh, yeah?" he replied. "What's that?"

The goth grinned wickedly. "Well the hair on your head is white in ghost form. I wondered if all your hair turned white."

Danny coughed, nearly choking on his spit at the unexpected response. He propped himself up further with his arm to get a better look at her face. "When the heck did you wonder that?!" he asked after regaining his composure.

Sam shrugged. "Honestly? Since high school. It's nice to know I was right," she briefly turned back to waggle her eyebrows at him.

Danny's own eyebrows reached his hairline. "I don't even know what to say to that," he responded before lowering himself back down.

"What the heck?" he said as he spied the tattoo on the back of her left shoulder. He ran his thumb over it, a slow smile playing across his lips. "Did you seriously get this tattooed on your body?"

She turned back slightly to look at him. "What? I created that symbol. Technically it's mine."

He chuckled. "But you gave it to me."

She shrugged before turning back around and settling into the sheets. "Still mine."

He shook his head at her and reached down, kissing the stylized "D" tattoo on her shoulder, before settling in behind her. He put his arm over her again, letting it rest on her stomach over the sheet, before closing his eyes to sleep.

–

The next morning, they were all sitting at the table for breakfast and Tucker would not stop staring at Danny.

After about ten minutes, the now annoyed half ghost said, "What?" with a glare.

"Oh, nothing," started Tucker with a little shrug. "Just wondering if you and Sam had a good chat last night."

Danny looked at his dark-skinned friend like he knew Tuck was up to something. "Yes, we did. And?"

"Did anything, you know, pop up?"

Tucker ducked when a muffin went sailing at his face. The halfa turned his glare on his sister. "You told him?"

Jazz had the decency to look sheepish. "I only said Sam was in your room!"

The techno geek only needed one look at the deep blush on Sam's cheeks to know his suspicions were confirmed. "So I am right!" he exclaimed before yelping and ducking again as this time a fork was aimed at his head. "Why do you always choose violence?!" he asked shakily as he popped back up.

Vlad tsked. "Please be careful of the silverware, hmm? I don't need random holes in my walls."

Tucker wagged a finger at his half ghost friend. "Yeah, dude! All I'm saying is it's about time."

As Danny was about to retort, Sam reached over and put her hand on his thigh, sliding it up. The hybrid jolted, then stared at the goth in shock.

Jazz watched the exchange before commenting, "I don't think I want to know what that was."

"Probably not," Sam said with a grin, giving Danny's upper thigh a squeeze.

"Jesus, Sam!" Danny said before he could stop himself.

The goth snickered, giving the hybrid a reprieve and taking her hand back.

Vlad raised a brow. "I told you to help him, but I'm not quite sure that's what I meant."

The black-haired woman shrugged. "I'm helping him anyway I can."

"Clearly," the billionaire deadpanned. "But on that note," he said. "I think we can end the memory sessions. I think the best way to help you is to let you relax. You should do all the things you used to do with your friends; video games, movies. Letting your body go back into a normal and relaxing rhythm as opposed to constant danger may reactivate your human half."

"So, he has to have fun until he's human again? That's my kind of problem solving!" Tucker said before taking a bite of his breakfast.

"I don't mind my form of problem solving," Sam said with a grin.

Danny literally facepalmed. "Oh, for crying out loud," he cried before turning to the goth. "Who are you, and what did you do with Sam?"

She laughed openly, holding her stomach. The half ghost couldn't even stay mad at her; he loved to hear and see her laugh like that for a change.

Sam then shrugged. "I can think of a few things you could do with Sam," she said and then laughed again at the mortified look on Danny's face.

The hybrid's face was bright red, but then got a mischievous look. "This is humiliating, but at the same time, oddly a turn on." He stood, pushing his chair back, before grabbing Sam's hand and yanking her from her seat and pulling her along as he went to leave the room.

"Where are you going?!" Tucker called.

"Exactly where you think!" Danny called back.

Jazz stared at her plate. "I don't think I can finish breakfast now," she stated as Sam's giggles could be heard.

–

All of them, including Vlad, had spent the day lounging by the pool, played a few video games in the entertainment room, and watched a few movies. Danny went with Sam every time she took DJ for a walk, and the pair relished the time together, holding hands and chatting.

The young hybrid had certainly felt better and more relaxed, especially now that the memory dives were over. Having Sam by his side helped immensely as well, as it helped keep him from thinking about the past. There was still the worry over being found, but Danny felt it was easier to push it to the back of his mind when he focused on just being in the moment with his friends and sister.

Now it was late evening and the pair were settled down into bed, DJ on his bed across the room. It seemed to be unspoken that Sam would now sleep in his room, and neither complained.

It wasn't long after they fell asleep that Danny's nightmare began.

He dreamt about his human half. He could see himself as if in a mirror, and he was human, but it was wrong. He looked sickly, malnourished, and hollow. As he looked at himself, his skin began to melt, sloughing off until he could see muscle. The muscles, too, melted away until he was just bone.

The half ghost awoke with a start. He felt a pain in his chest as his heart pounded. He grabbed his shirt over his heart, breaths coming in great heaves. Sweat beaded on his brow, and he gasped when the pain sharpened into something more malevolent, before finally starting to abate.

He laid back in the bed, hand still wrenched into his shirt, grateful that Sam hadn't awoken. He bit his lip with worry, now terrified of the prospect of waking up his human half.

–

I know, I know…"Well that escalated quickly!" Oops…

They're finally together! Tee hee. Keeping this story rated T. I DO NOT write those kinds of scenes.

I finished this 6/13/2024. I'm on a roll!

Next chapter skips ahead a little in time. I can't write those 100 chapter stories, especially when we're on chapter 16 and it's taken me nearly 20 years to write that much _.