I want to thank everyone who has followed this story. I am truly honored to see how many people enjoy it, reading, reviewing, and putting this story and me on your assorted lists.

I offer sugar cookies, milk, chocolate coins, potato pancakes, and sour cream in thanks, but that isn't enough.

Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom or The X-Men.

Chapter 10

The morning that followed the momentous revelations was a Saturday. Normally, Danny took the occasion to sleep in, if he wasn't interrupted by a ghost fight. With a merciful stroke of luck, the ghosts left him and Amity Park alone. However, he was brought to the waking world at 9:30am by a call from Tucker.

Danny groaned, but answered, "Hey, Tucker."

Tucker grinned. "Hey there, Danny. After last night, I called to see how you were."

Danny sighed. "Well, last night…"

"Give me a sec, and I'll call Sam. We can make this a three-way conversation, so you'll only have to say it once."

"Sure thing, Tuck." Danny wasn't sure if he should be annoyed at being woken up by his best friend, grateful for the thoughtfulness demonstrated by said best friend, or amused at how much more annoyed Sam would be when Tucker woke her up.

To Danny's surprise, Sam, the creature of the night, was up and alert when Tuck brought her into the conversation. Eyes alight with worry, Sam asked, "So Danny, what happened? Are you okay?"

With a rueful smile, Danny answered, "I think so. When I left your house, I ran into Magneto…"

"That's rough, Dude," Tucker inserted.

"No kidding, Tuck. We had a bit of a chat," Danny paused to shudder. "And he decided… Well, have either of you heard of the Brotherhood of Mutants?"

Both Sam and Tucker assured him that they did. Danny didn't have the presence of mind to feel left out of the loop until very recently, so he just continued. "Well… Like I said last night, I seem to be a magnet for Froot-Loop Central. And Magneto was keen on me joining his Brotherhood. When I told him I wasn't interested, he… told my parents my secret. They know I'm Danny Phantom."

Both Sam and Tucker fell silent and stared wide-eyed through their videophones. Sam broke the silence first. "Considering that you are here to tell the tale and that you look healthy, I take it that your parents are cool with you."

Danny nodded. "Yeah. They promised to support me and love me, no matter what."

Tucker smiled. "You couldn't ask for a happier ending. But what did you decide about going to Professor X's school?"

Danny sighed. "I don't know yet. I get the feeling that's going to be the main topic of discussion over breakfast."

Tucker's jaw dropped. "You mean the X-Men stayed overnight at your house? And they're still there?"

"Yeah."

"We'll be right over. I hope your Mom's making pancakes." Tucker hung up, and since his phone supported the three-way connection, Sam's call was also terminated.

Danny sighed again. "At least they'll be here to help me make the big decision," he quipped to himself.

Once he was showered and dressed, Danny joined his family and guests at the breakfast table, and he smiled when there was a large stack of pancakes on a plate in the middle of the table. "Good morning, everyone. Sam and Tucker are coming."

Maddie smiled. "That's nice, dear. The more the merrier."

Jazz nodded. "I'm glad they're coming, too. Maybe they can help…"

"Help with what?" Jack asked.

Charles noticed Danny's sudden discomfort, and offered to put the boy at ease. "Last night, many things were revealed. Danny's friends might be instrumental once we discuss options available."

Maddie brought the teapot to the table. "What kind of options?"

The doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" Danny said brightly, as he fled from the kitchen.

Jazz murmured, "Poor Danny! I hope he'll be okay."

Jack cocked his head. "Why wouldn't he be okay, Princess?"

"Some decisions are hard to make. Danny's good at…" Jazz was interrupted by the three teens trooping into the kitchen.

Maddie smiled at the newcomers. "Good morning, guys. You're up bright and early."

Tucker beamed. "You bet, Mrs. F. I wouldn't pass up on this opportunity…" He noticed Professor Xavier and Dr. McCoy at the table, and his fanboy momentum hit a brick wall. "I mean, um… You make great pancakes, and I wouldn't miss out on that."

"Smooth one," Sam snarked. "Do you think you could be a little more obvious?" She rolled her eyes at her friend.

Charles smiled at the young teenagers. "So you must be Sam. Danny mentioned you fondly last night. And you must be Tucker, the fellow who made the comment that spurred the senior Fentons on, inspiring the research for last night's lecture."

Tucker beamed again. "That's right. You guys are some of my greatest heroes. But only after Danny."

Sam growled and rolled her eyes again. Danny fought a snicker and said, "Thanks, Tuck."

Dr. McCoy chuckled. This was a warm reception, the likes of which were few and far in between.

Maddie gestured and invited, "Why don't you take seats and help yourselves to some breakfast?"

Sam nodded. "Thanks, Mrs. Fenton." She took a seat between Danny and Tucker, so Tuck's shins were in convenient kicking range. All three teens took a short stack of pancakes and orange juice.

When Maddie was sure everyone had access to enough to be sated, she joined them at the table, served herself, and said, "Professor, you mentioned some options. What did you have in mind?"

Charles nodded at Danny. "My school is known for its excellent academics, but that is only part of what we offer. Last night, Danny and Jazz and I had a rather involved conversation." He thought for a moment, as last night involved many emotional upheavals, and he wanted to avoid causing another one.

Ah, he had it. "Of the many things we covered, Danny mentioned that he felt that his very good friends, here, were sometimes the only reason he maintains his sanity. Now that you, his parents, know his secrets, and have promised to accept him, this has removed one of the greater stressors from his life." The professor smiled. "As his ghostly persona, Danny Phantom, your son spends quite a lot of energy on his heroism, to very good effect."

Danny beamed, even as he blushed.

"His vigilance in battling rogue ghosts has the unfortunate side effect of lessening his time for scholastic pursuits."

Danny grimaced and sighed.

Charles turned to face the boy more fully. "Danny, now that we have a more calm, less charged moment, I would like to re-extend my invitation to you."

Danny blinked. "Um…"

Maddie asked, "What invitation?"

Charles nodded. "I am inviting Danny to come and be a student in my school."

Jack frowned. "But his grades…"

"Are not the relevant factor here. Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters primarily (almost to the point of being exclusively) caters to the needs of teenage Mutants. The genetic change because of Danny's accident with your Portal is the classic definition of a mutation."

The professor sighed as he saw the apprehension on every face besides Henry's. "Danny, the point is never isolation, heaven forfend. But it is an opportunity to be left alone to exist as normally as you can. The school is a safe haven, among other things, to be yourself without fear and without ridicule for being different. Our goal is to help you achieve your full potential in every area possible, including our simulation room – we call it the Danger Room – to help monitor, exercise, and develop your powers."

Everyone sat silently, digesting the professor's words. Danny was the first to find his tongue. "What will be expected of me, if I go?"

Both Charles and Henry smiled. The panic Danny had last night was no longer present. Charles answered, "That you try your best, of course. Classes are usually small and therefore almost personalized. However, I suspect you are referring to after you complete your program."

"Well, yeah."

"As I told your sister last night, Danny, you are free to do as you please. I would hope that with your ambition and drive, you would learn all you can, get into the university of your choice, and join NASA. Those are the goals you mentioned."

Danny's eyes lit with excitement. "This sounds better and better. But, um… You know, I have responsibilities here. Last night was the first night in ages that the ghosts weren't out and causing havoc. And also…" He turned to Sam and Tucker. "I'd miss my friends if I went."

Sam grabbed and squeezed Danny's hand, and Tucker said, "Thanks, Dude. We'd miss you, too."

Maddie frowned. "Professor, while that really sounds good, how much would something like that cost? Dr. McCoy explained that your school is a boarding school. Those tend to be expensive. It's also halfway across the country. I'm not sure about sending my fifteen-year-old so far away for high school."

Charles said, "The school is privately funded and is geared to fill the needs of all who come. No payment is required, although a donation is suggested. But again, it isn't required.

"As far as the distance… We can pick students up and drop them off in our private jet. There are scheduled vacations, of course, and we can make weekend excursions."

Sam and Tucker looked sadly at their friend. They knew that learning at that school would be an amazing opportunity for him, but they would miss Danny terribly.

Danny gulped. "All of this sounds really good, Professor. But, um… who will take care of fighting ghosts in Amity Park when I'm gone? I mean, my parents are really enthusiastic, and Sam and Tucker are the awesomest friends a guy could have, but… For the team of us to really work, I have to be here."

Charles furrowed his brow. "I'll have to admit that I hadn't considered that."

Danny sighed, crushed. "You know, one of my dreams is to learn more about my powers in a safe, healthy environment. It's one of the reasons I resent 'the Wisconsin Ghost' so much: he offered to mentor me, train me, teach me everything he knows, but the cost is too high.

"This sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I'd love to take it. But I have obligations here. Mom and Dad, Sam, Tucker, and Jazz are good, and even… the Red Hunter is useful, when she's not gunning for me. But until I learn how to be in two places at once – that's a power I've been working on for months and I still don't have it quite right…" Everyone besides Sam and Tucker reacted with surprise at this revelation.

"I just can't go to your school."

"Oh, Danny!" Jazz got up and hugged her brother. "You don't have to…"

"Yes I do! Don't tell me you could have handled Technus, Youngblood, or Prince Aragon without me. (However, Tucker was all over Hotep-Ra. Just another reminder of how awesome you are, Tuck.)"

Tucker and Sam sighed in relief, even as they felt guilty for it. Still, Tucker grinned. "No problem, Danny." Besides the three fifteen-year-olds, no one had a clue about Hotep-Ra or Prince Aragon, but that wasn't really the point.

Charles frowned. "You have made a logical argument, Danny. However, there is still a problem. I acknowledge and commend you for your responsibility to your home town. However, a better ghost hunting solution has to be found, or you will never be able to live up to your dreams. University and NASA will take you away from home for months at a time, if not years."

Danny hung his head in defeat. It wasn't fair – his dreams were so close, but yet so far out of reach.

Maddie walked over and hugged Danny. "Listen to me, Sweetie. You should have a chance to live up to your dreams. Maybe it means that you can show us how it's done. After all, you HAVE been involved in just about every ghost fight in town. There is a reason the media granted you a 64% approval rating, and it is for far more than your defeat of that giant ghost tyrant. You shouldn't feel tied down. Your father and I are experts, and if you give us some of your trade secrets, it will free you up to do other things and go other places. I don't want this town to be your 'ghostly obsession', Danny."

Danny smiled gently, tentatively. "Thanks, Mom. But until you guys get better at this ghost fighting thing, I really need to be here to help out."

Dr. McCoy smiled. "I think I figured out a temporary solution. And oddly enough, I think Erik did you a bigger favor than he probably intended. Now that your family knows your secrets, Danny, you can share with them as much as you can. But to help YOU in the more immediate sense, there is another option we haven't explored."

All eyes turned to the blue Mutant. Danny asked, "What option?"

"Summer school. You said that you were planning on a cross-country road trip. That means that you are confident enough to leave Amity Park for short stretches of time. So think of it like this. After your road trip this summer, you can come to the school – we can work out the date as it gets closer. Still… You would be here during the year, fighting the ghosts as necessary and showing your parents how to do what you do (as best as average humans can do it). And for a few weeks, if not a couple of months, you would come to Xavier's School for enrichment learning, focusing on your powers, or anything else you choose to work on."

Danny considered. It meant giving up a lot of free time, but this felt like it could be useful. "You know, I think this could work."

Dr. McCoy responded, "I'm glad you approve, and that you feel you can make this work."

Jazz also considered this. The hope in her little brother's eyes was a truly precious thing, and she wanted this to continue. But there were other dimensions and avenues in this endeavor to ask about. "This sounds like a good plan. But would only Danny be able to go to your school? I mean, the professor said that your school primarily caters to Mutant teens. But, um… Couldn't Sam and Tucker go for enrichment learning, for example?"

Both teachers practically heard the unasked question: 'Can't I go, too?'

Charles laughed. "I don't see why not, as long as you have permission from your parents. And another thing to consider – there are students of all ages. There are people who come in their late teens or early twenties to learn. There are adults (some of undetermined ages) who come to train in the Danger Room, and otherwise help out any way they can. Some alumni stay on to teach, or spend extra time learning, focusing on their areas of strength."

The professor sobered and continued. "But if you do choose to come, Jasmine, Sam, and Tucker, you must stick to the guidelines of behavior. Many students come from difficult situations, or may not be comfortable with their powers, or their own self worth. For some students, the only support system they have is the school. Many have been abused and harassed by average humans for their differences, be they appearances, abilities, or other. It is a school, but it is a safe haven for Mutants, first and foremost."

Sam thought about everything the two teachers just said. In one simple discussion, it sounded like they were truly ready to help Danny in ways that Principal Ishiyama never would. But the idea of her attending Xavier's School, even for summer school, was a dream in and of itself.

But listening to the warning of dealing with guidelines made her sit up. She looked the headmaster in the eyes. "I'm all about celebrating what makes us individuals. The only way I'll have a problem with someone is if they make a problem for Danny."

Charles raised his eyebrows. Samantha didn't say, as many students did, that she would defend herself, but she made it clear that she would protect Danny. The strength and conviction of this young lady impressed him. "Quite so," he murmured.

Tucker thought about this. "How cool would it be to hang out in a place where everyone has super powers? But even cooler would be… well, if your Danger Room works like I think it might, the three of us could practice our ghost catching techniques without our lives being on the line."

Dr. McCoy nodded. "Indeed. And I think it would be good for the students already there to see average humans who actively encourage their Mutant friend or brother."

Maddie narrowed her eyes in concentration as she listened to the teachers interact with the kids.

Tucker sighed happily. "I wonder if there would be other techno-geeks as into electronics as I am."

Henry smiled. "That's one of my favorite hobbies, Tucker. As far as building, creating, and possibly programming goes, I'm sure Forge might have something to share."

Charles looked at Jazz, Sam, and Tucker critically. 'These three children seem to understand the essence of what my school stands for.' He smiled at them.

"If you give me your addresses, we'll make sure to send information brochures and course catalogues for you to peruse and share with your parents."

Maddie smiled as she came to a conclusion. "This sounds like a great idea."

Danny and Jazz said, "Thanks, Mom!"

Maddie put an arm around Danny. "If this round of summer school helps you bring your grades up, not only will you and Jazz return to summer school next summer, but we'll send you to Space Camp."

It took all of Danny's self control not to jump up and start to dance in the middle of the kitchen. "Thanks again."

Maddie hugged her son. "You're more than welcome, Sweetie. And while you are there, perhaps… Professor, you said that people of all ages come to your school and use your Danger Room."

Charles nodded. "That's right."

"It occurs to me that… well, when Danny goes to Space Camp, I don't see why Jack and I couldn't use whatever program you set up for Sam and Tucker to practice ghost hunting without risk."

"I would be honored if you did come, Mrs. Fenton."

Jack beamed. "My son the hero will go to your school to hone his powers. If he does a good job, he'll get to be my sidekick."

"Dad!"