Today is 6/24/24! Very proud of myself! I can't believe how far I've come in a few weeks.

TRIGGER: Panic attack.

Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom!

Chapter 19: Weigh Down on Me

The process of leaving Wisconsin was hard and bittersweet. They were all well aware of Vlad's limited time, and while they tried to convince him to go with them, he politely refused, saying he'd only be a liability if the Headmaster showed up and didn't want to be responsible if Danny got hurt trying to protect him.

To say the billionaire was shocked when the taller hybrid enveloped him in a tight hug was a severe understatement. He felt himself tearing up at the sudden display of affection from the young man he'd seen as a son for quite some time.

"Remember your promise," he'd said as they pulled away. With a nod and a light smile, Danny and the others left, leaving Vlad with a void in his life.

Now the group had landed at the airport and were waiting on luggage. DJ was sitting next to Sam, being an all around good boy, and waiting patiently for them to leave.

The goth was getting annoyed. Danny was getting more than his fair share of stares and giggles from young women, and it was making her angry. Danny, to his credit, didn't even seem to notice, lost in his own thoughts from his anxiety of being back in Amity Park.

That was why he was startled when Sam grabbed his hand, holding it tight. He turned his confused gaze to her, only to find she was glaring at a group of girls that were not far away waiting for their own luggage. The girls were whispering amongst themselves, staring at him and giggling.

He chuckled, which only caused the girls to react more, and pulled on Sam's arm. "I didn't peg you for the jealous type," he commented.

"I'm not jealous," she huffed in a way that was not at all believable.

The hybrid grinned. "Would this help?" he asked before he reached down and kissed her cheek. The group of girls seemed to get the hint and went back to watching for their luggage, with only the occasional peek.

"A little," she grumbled, turning away from him and refusing to acknowledge her jealousy.

Danny smiled at her anyway, before a thought occurred to him now that he was garnering attention. "Wait, what do we do if someone recognizes me?" he asked loud enough for all three to hear.

Tucker chewed on his lower lip. "I've thought about that a little. It was really big news around here when you went missing. If the news catches wind that you've been found, it may lead the Headmaster directly here."

Danny groaned. "Why did we just think of this now?"

Jazz grabbed her bag, pulling it over, before reaching into the outside pocket. "I did actually think a bit ahead and grabbed a few useful things from Vlad before we left."

She pulled out a pair of sunglasses and a black ball cap with NASCAR written on it. "You're so much taller than you were, and with the beard and voice, I don't think you'll be easily recognized. But these might help with that."

Danny took the items with a nod of thanks and placed the cap on his head. As he was debating on whether it would be weird to put the sunglasses on inside, he caught the look on Sam's face. "...what?"

Sam blinked before swallowing. "I think I just discovered I have a thing with hats," she stated simply. "Oh look, my bag!" she said, quickly changing the subject before going to the carousel to grab her bag.

Tucker burst out laughing at the utterly confused look on his friend's face. "Dude, I think she just admitted she really likes you in that hat."

Jazz snickered as well, especially when Danny's cheeks burned red.

At that moment, Sam came back, loaded down with the rest of the bags, DJ's leash tied to her belt. "Alright, let's go!"

While Jazz and Tucker were apprehensive about going to see Chase, given the circumstances of their return, Sam and Danny eventually convinced them to go and meet Chase and Tucker's parents in a neutral place. The Fenton's and Foley's had been switching weeks with the little tyke, and he was now with the Foley's.

Meanwhile, Danny and Sam went to the hotel. They were concerned about staying at Sam's, or Jazz and Tucker's place, in case they could be traced. As it was late afternoon, they had decided to wait until tomorrow to see the Fenton's.

Danny had declined to go with Sam when she took DJ for a walk this time, and when she returned, she found the hybrid sitting in a patio chair on the balcony, leaning forward, elbows on knees.

The goth had come to know this position as his 'thinking' pose. So, she unhooked the leash, made sure DJ had water, and headed out to the balcony.

Instead of taking the other seat, she came up behind him, making sure he could hear her, and leaned over him, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting a chaste kiss on his bearded cheek. "Whatcha thinking about?"

Danny lifted one corner of his mouth in a light smile and lifted his hand to rest on one of her arms. "A lot of things," he answered, his deep voice soft.

"I'd ask if you're worried, but I think that has an obvious answer."

The half ghost hummed his agreement. "Just being in Amity Park is dangerous. I'm just one person…I don't know if I can protect all of you," he voiced his fears.

Sam rested the side of her head against his, relishing the warmth of him in the winter air. "We can protect ourselves, at least a little, you know."

He sighed, squeezing her arm. "Against ghosts, I have no doubt. But these aren't ghosts."

"I know," she said, her own voice getting quieter. "It's not going to be easy. But there's safety in numbers."

"There's also more targets," he grunted.

Sam pulled back and came around, taking a seat in the chair next to him. She took his hand in hers. "Jazz is going to call your parents tomorrow morning. There's still time to back out."

He looked at her with mild annoyance. "You're the one who pushed for this, and now you're giving me an out?"

She shrugged. "I fully believe you should see them, for the sake of all of you. I'm also pretty sure Jazz will drag you there, kicking and screaming."

"And I'm pretty sure you're right," he responded.

Sam got up then and got in front of Danny, settling on her knees between his legs. She ran a hand down his cheek with a comforting smile. "I can't say I'm not worried. I just know that, as long as I'm by your side, everything will be okay."

The young halfa melted into her touch, allowing her words to comfort him just a little. Sapphire eyes watched as she came forward, and closed as she kissed him.

When Sam pulled back, she had a bigger smile. "I'm going to shower. Care to join?"

He grinned, waggling his eyebrows at her. She laughed, nearly snorting at his antics and got up, making her way to the bathroom. As Danny came in and closed the patio door, Sam peeked out of the bathroom, "Oh, and…bring the hat."

The halfa couldn't help the chuckles that escaped.

Later that night, Sam was sleeping peacefully. Danny was beside her, sleeping, but not at all peacefully.

He screamed, voice hoarse and cracking from overuse. The collar at his neck was humming, sending strong electrical currents through his body, which was currently shaking and convulsing.

The Headmaster was watching him uncaringly, seemingly bored with the whole thing.

Finally, she let off the button, and the collar stopped, leaving the young man on the floor, sweat dripping down his face and panting, desperate for air.

She knelt down, her gaze upon him as if he was a cockroach that needed squishing. "I warned you what would happen if you continued to defy me. That smart mouth of yours runs away with itself. I may not want to kill you, but I can assure you, you'll wish for it."

Danny couldn't respond and simply stayed still, his breath coming in ragged gasps. It was certainly not the first time they'd used the collar, but it was the longest anyone had held the button down.

The Headmaster tsked, shaking her head. "So much potential packed in that adolescent body. Why must you use it to try and escape?"

The half ghost's blue eyes watched her, his heaving breaths finally starting to calm, but his neck and throat feeling on fire. Still, he couldn't respond.

The prim and proper lady stood again, crossing her arms as she stared down her nose at him. "You know this will be the last time, don't you? If you ever try this again, I will hunt down every person you've ever loved, drag them here, and kill them in the most painful ways as you watch helplessly."

Danny's eyes widened in fear. He knew she was a woman of her word. He had no doubt she would follow through on the threat. He shivered, the fear causing chills to form all over his sweat covered body.

She raised a brow. "If you try to escape again, you can consider that a promise."

Danny awoke with a start, hands reaching for a collar that was no longer there. He gasped and wretched, still feeling as though he was being shocked.

Sam startled awake beside him. "Danny?" She called, confused.

But he didn't acknowledge her, his body still locked in a memory. He scrambled out of the bed, nearly tripping over the sheets. He regained his footing, stumbling to the bathroom before hitting his knees and losing the contents of his stomach into the toilet.

The goth, extremely alarmed now, followed him, kneeling next to him as he continued to throw up. She placed a hand on the back of his neck, shocked when she discovered him dripping in sweat and hot. "Danny, you're burning up!"

Sam went quickly to grab a washcloth and drenched it in cold water, before going back to the ailing man and gently patting his neck and forehead.

When Danny was finally done, he shakily stood, Sam protesting, but it was still like he couldn't hear her.

Danny fumbled through the doorway, making his way over to the balcony door, sliding it open and falling out onto it. He practically crawled over to the railing, turning around and putting his back against it.

Sam could barely make out him saying 'air' in between his panting. She finally realized he must be having a panic attack.

The goth followed him, closing the door to keep DJ inside where it was warm, and padded over to him, settling down next to the freaking out half ghost.

She was disturbed by his behavior. It was like he wasn't quite here with her, but elsewhere in his mind. His body was shaking hard, his breathing hitched and raspy. The goth had no idea what to do, so she simply grabbed one of his hands, which were both nearly clawing his neck now, and squeezed.

Her other hand came up and rubbed from his forehead to the back of his head over and over. "Shhh," she said repeatedly. "I'm here."

After a few minutes, he showed signs of coming out of it; his free hand fell to his lap, his breaths started to slow. Another several minutes and his eyes finally started to clear.

Finally, Danny cleared his throat, swallowing hard, Adam's apple bouncing. "I'm sorry," he said, mind now clear enough to realize what just happened.

"Don't ever be sorry for that," she replied softly, fingers combing his bangs. "Was it a nightmare?" She asked tentatively.

He nodded, head barely moving. "A memory of a living nightmare," he clarified, then sighed. "It was the last night I was human before getting stuck in ghost form. That collar around my neck? She," he licked his lips. "She held the button down."

Sam gasped lightly. "Oh, God, Danny. I'm so sorry."

Danny shook his head, thinking back to the pain that collar had caused him. "That wasn't the worst part. I had tried to escape. The collar was punishment, but she gave me a warning…" he trailed off.

Sam's hand stopped its movement. "What kind of warning?" She dreaded the answer.

When he answered, it was so soft Sam could barely hear it. "That if I ever tried to escape again, she would find and kill all of you."

Sam moved her hand to the back of his neck and pulled her head in, resting her forehead on his temple. "I know you're scared. Honestly, I am, too. But no matter what, I'll be by your side. We will keep each other safe."

He squeezed the hand that was holding his and turned into her, his forehead now on hers. "I've never been so scared," he admitted, voice in a whisper. "The thought of losing you…of losing all of you…"

Sam pulled back slightly, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. "You won't lose me. Now, come back to bed. I'll sing to you."

He let out a single chuckle. It made him sound like a child, but they both knew it would help relax him and allow him to fall back asleep, so he nodded.

They stood, heading back inside and to the bed. Sam settled in, back resting against the headboard, Danny lying down and putting his head on her lap.

The goth then ran her fingers through his hair again and began to sing. It was something new, one she had never sung to him before.

"One look at you;

My whole life falls in line.

I prayed for you;

Before I called you mine."

Danny, despite the fatigue and lingering fear, smiled. He didn't recognize the song, but she sang it beautifully.

"Oh, I can't believe it's true sometimes;

Oh, I can't believe it's true.

I get to love you;

It's the best thing that I'll ever do.

I get to love you;

It's a promise I'm making to you;

Whatever may come your heart I will choose;

Forever I'm yours, forever I do.

I get to love you,

I get to love you."

His hand on her thigh gripped a little tighter. Now he was fighting tears at her words.

"The way you love;

It changes who I am.

I am undone:

I thank God once again.

Oh, I can't believe it's true sometimes;

Oh, I can't believe it's true."

The more time he got to spend with Sam, the more he realized just how much he loved her. As she continued to sing, he was beginning to realize just how much she loved him, as well.

"And they say love is a journey;

I promise that I'll never leave.

When it's too heavy to carry;

Remember this moment with me…

I get to love you."

That did it. The tears flowed down his face now. He briefly wondered when he became such a softie, but Sam had always had a special place in his heart, a place that opened up the softer side of him. He buried his face in her thigh and tried to commit this moment to memory.

Finished 6/27/2024. A slightly shorter chapter. The next part is mostly written, and it's far too long to try and tag on to this chapter. At least, it would make it far longer than previous ones. Hopefully you guys are still with me.