"Hey cuz, I'm back…"

Lar Lindor

Standard Disclaimer: I don't own Danny Phantom or the characters. They belong to Butch Hartman and Nickelodeon. Also, thanks to Mr. H. and Nick for the five new episodes. Are there any more episodes coming?

BTW-For my story Amity Park is in Indiana- probably near infamous Eerie, Indiana (also a TV created town known for its weirdness). Let's put it three hours drive or so from Chicago/Gary.

A/N: Thoughts are in italic.

Conversation is in "quotations."

Shouting may be in bold print or in "CAPS."

Any notes in brackets [ are author notes.

Time frame: I'm taking up the story soon after Urban Jungle. I'm having trouble keeping this plot true with the fact that Vlad is now mayor of Amity Park. For this story, let's say that never happened. So, the fruit loop is still in Wisconsin.

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Chapter One: "We'll Talk Later" (Danny's Perspective)

I (as Danny Phantom) had flown to a private place on the edge of town. School was over for the summer, and I had taken off flying without even looking for my best friends, Tucker and Sam. Except for the trouble with Freakshow and the one with the Plant Guy, things had been quiet ghost-wise.

It wasn't a ghost problem. It was a girl problem. Not just any girl, this one was my best friend.

The good news: My worst enemy, Vlad, hasn't been around Amity Park lately. Instead, he's in the national news. It's some kind of legal dealings with his company. The reporter claimed that Mr. Manson's company is involved, too. If Vlad is involved, it's probably more like "illegal" dealings. The news guy said something about an attempted "hostile takeover," whatever that means.

It sounds like my enemy is on the losing end this time. I still say Vlad should get a cat. A pet would settle him down (maybe).

[I just watched a new episode. Vlad got a cat.

Anyway, "my place" was quiet, great for watching and listening to the birds. I sighed, and then changed back to human form. I dared not stay in ghost form too long. My alter ego didn't want to end up in a fight with Valerie, or with my parents.

I had kept to myself all day, walking to the park that morning. I had too much on my mind to hang with my friends. Sam had called my cell just before noon.

"Hey, Danny. Umm. Did you forget me…and Tuck? Remember me, Sam? We're best friends, and we usually hang out together."

Forget her? That's impossible. She's the reason I'm here. Tuck had gotten sick last Friday (this was Monday), and Sam and I ended up at the movies alone. I was pushing the old "friendship limit" all evening long. I'd never been that bold with her before. I treated her like a date: holding hands, flirting, even putting my arm around her.

It was like I couldn't help it. Screw it. I didn't want to stop. I wanted the night to end up with her as my girlfriend. I fight evil ghosts, but I'm a coward, too. I can save the entire Ghost Zone, but I cannot ask Sam for a date.

Then, at the end of the night, I kissed her-kind of. It was going to be a real kiss, too. Man, it was a last second save. The kiss instead ended up on her cheek, but right beside her mouth. What was I thinking? It's getting hard to play the game-pretending I'm only her friend.

Dammit, I should have done it. What's the worst that could've happened? She could've slapped me, and broke off our friendship. Her parents could have put another restraining order against me…

"Dan, are you still there?" she called impatiently.

My reply had been lame. "Sorry, Sam I have some stuff on my mindI'll call you tomorrow, or something."

"Okay, but you know you can talk to me about… stuff," she said shyly.

"Yeah,"I replied, "I know thanks."

See, since the beauty contest,I had come to grips with my feelings for Sam. Even though the idea of her marrying the Prince was silly, it still made me think. It took a while, but I figured it out. It was unacceptable for Sam to be with someone else. I wanted her to be with me.

Then my worst fears were realized when Gregor became her boyfriend. I'd been a jealous jerk, forced Tucker to play spy, and made Sam furious with me. When they broke up, I'd babbled like an idiot. I should've told her how I felt about her then. I screwed up another good opportunity.

I had to tell her that I… well, I loved her, but this was easier thought than done.

Still… sometimes last Friday, I swore she was flirting back. I flirted, and I made the moves, but she never objected. Y'know, the look she gave me just before the "almost kiss" took my breath away. Her eyes said she wanted the kiss too. Can it be?

So why didn't I just go for it?

"Earth to Danny, Space Cadet Fenton, please return to reality," she said sarcastically.

Stupid, Fenton, get off the phone before you go off into La La Land.

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Friday night at home: I typed the words "I love you" a dozen times on my keyboard, but never sent it. An IM was too impersonal. I picked up my cell phone to call her, but never dialed that last digit. I finally made my decision; I put my clothes back on, and walked to her house. It had to be done in person. I was just getting ready to climb to her window when "he" came.

[Yes, I know Danny is half-ghost. However, there is a reason he didn't go intangible and fly into Sam's window. See chapter 2.

I was standing in front of her house when blue mist came out of my mouth. That stupid, cursed Box Ghost streaked by me. I couldn't ignore him, so I followed him on foot. When I got out of my neighborhood, I went ghost. I caught up with B.G. and beat the living crap out of him.

I finally got back to Sam's mansion. The cops were sitting in front, just watching her house. I guess someone had seen me earlier, and called the police. I couldn't climb to her window now. When I finally got back to my room, I was exhausted.

I fell asleep. I didn't follow up that night, and I got all scared. I convinced myself (stupidly) to think about it a few days. This is too important a decision to risk screwing it up. I never called, and I haven't seen her since.

No, let's be honest: I've avoided her. I was so desperate that I went to a ghost hunter conference with the parents for two days. Now it's been three days.

"I know," I replied. "We need to have a long talk about… things." I put my hand behind my head and scratched my neck. Stupid nervous habit.

"Can you walk to the park with me after supper? I'll come by and pick you up," she invited. "You know we need to talk."

Well, this is it. I'm going to have The Conversation with her. I can only hope she likes me, too. Otherwise, I'm going to look like the village idiot. Worse, it might put a strain on our friendship.

"Yeah, I know," I whimpered.

"It's bothering me too, Dan," she said tentatively. "I think we need to talk about Friday. We need to do it in person, too."

Okay, it's out in the open.

"I agree. We'll talk later," I promised.

This'll be some walk in the park!

A/N: Beauty Marked

Apology from the author: I started this story ages ago. Then I got super involved in my Science Fiction/Fantasy book. I hope that it'll get published this summer. Wish me luck! I've also been a faithful reviewer for many of you fine writers of Teen Titans, and Danny Phantom.. Unfortunately, I have been out of commission for a couple of months now. I had surgery in late April, and am just now getting back into my hobbies.

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