Prologue: Heartbeat

Danny could still remember it like it was yesterday, as he woke up to find his live in girlfriend of two years, Valerie, not by his side as he slept. He called out for her, thinking maybe she was in the living room or the kitchen. So when he got no reply, he lazily got out of bed and looked around the apartment they shared. She wasn't home, which he thought was strange as he looked at the clock on the wall and saw that it was only little past eight.

It was a little after noon, when Danny received a call about having to come in on his day off. He was almost out the door when Valerie came walking through it. He kissed her forehead and told her he would see her later in the day. He was too much in a hurry to notice the look on her face as he left.

When he had arrived home, late into the night, he was surprised to see Valerie waiting up for him. “What's wrong?” he had asked as she stood up and walked over to him.

“Danny, we need to talk,” she told him in a little voice. “I think you may want to sit down.”

Danny frowned, those weren't the kind of words a man wanted to come home to as he remembered the last time he had heard those words. They had come from Sam before she told him that she and Tucker were in love and that she was leaving him for his best friend.

So as he allowed Valerie to guide him over to the couch, every worst case scenario ran through his head. And Valerie wasn't making him feel any better, sitting in front of him on the coffee table as she avoided eye contact with him. “What is it?” he asked as he looked down at her hands which were tugging at the end of her shirt nervously.

“I'm pregnant,” she whispered.

“What?” Danny didn't know how his voice sounded to her, but it must not have been pleasant as he watched her cringe at his response.

Valerie, finding courage, finally looked over into Danny's eyes. “I'm pregnant,” she repeated, but Danny said nothing this time as he only stared at her. Valerie sighed. “You're not happy, are you?” she asked him. “Dammit, I knew it,” she said to herself as she stood up and started to walk away.

“Val, that's not it,” he told her as he stood up and followed her.

She turned around curiously. “It's not?”

“No,” he shook his head and pulled her into his arms, a smile growing on his face. “You have no idea how happy I am,” he told her, relief evident in his voice.

“But Danny, you know very well we can't afford a child right now,” she voiced her concerns. "We're barely making ends meet now."

Danny's response was slidding down to his knees as he looked up at her. “We'll make it work,” he promised her before slightly lifting her shirt and kissing her belly. “Okay?” Valerie smiled at him, nodding her head to agree.

“Now there's something I need to talk to you about,” he told her, getting back to his feet. She looked asking of him. Danny then told her in a serious voice, “Stop your ghost hunting.”

Valerie's eyes went a bit wide for a moment, but understood where he was coming from and so reluctantly nodded her head.

“And I'm getting rid of your ghost gear,” as Valerie heard the words she opened her mouth to protest, but Danny never gave her the chance. “Don't argue with me on this. I just don't want you to be tempted.”

“Fine,” she agreed for the third time, rolling her eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Next you'll be saying you want me barefooted and in the kitchen."

Danny laughed as he kissed her forehead. "Don't be ridiculous, you know you can't cook." He then told her that it was late and that she needed her rest. Valerie smiled at him, he always had her best interest at heart.

OoOoO

Valerie had been pregnant for about three months and she had gone to meet with her doctor about a few things. Danny would have gone with her, but other matters had come up. When he arrived home, he fell back on to the couch, wiped out from his ghost hunting. “I'm getting to old for this,” he said to himself, closing his eyes.

He never realized how much of a load Valerie had taken on ghost hunting, but now that she was no longer doing it, Danny felt like he was working double shifts. He was almost asleep when he heard the keys in the door. He sat up straight as Valerie walked through. “How was it?” he asked with a smile on his face which slowly faded when he saw her red eyes. She had been crying.

“Val?” he shot up from his seat and would have gone to her, but before he could she had already had her arms thrown around his neck. “Sweetie, what's wrong?” he asked her as he wrapped his arms around her. Dread than felt his heart as he asked slowly, “Is it the baby?” At his words, Valerie began to sob loudly. “No,” Danny shook his head back and forth as he lowered the both of them to the couch. “No.”

“There's something wrong,” she told him, hanging onto him as if her life depended on it.

“What is it?” he asked as she finally pulled away to look at him.

She shook her head from side to side. “It's strange,” she began wiping away her tears. “The baby doesn't have a heartbeat.”

Danny's face fell as his hand went to her stomach. “You mean we lost the baby?”

Valerie shook her head again. “No,” she licked her lips as she tried to explain. “It had one, but than it just stopped, but it was still moving as if it were alive.” Valerie put her hands on top of Danny's. “The doctors couldn't explain it and- and I'm scared,” she admitted. “They want me to terminate the pregnancy.”

Danny never heard her last statement as he stared down at her belly. Why had it not occurred to him before? He was half ghost, how could he honestly have thought, something like that couldn't be passed down to his children? “Danny?” Valerie whispered as she realized he was off in his own world.

Danny looked back up into her eyes. He had been keeping it secret for so long, that it was a part of who he was, but she was scared, and she deserved the truth. “There's nothing wrong with the baby,” he told her.

“But the doctors-”

“Have never had to deal with a halfa.”

“A what?” Valerie looked at him oddly.

“A halfa,” he repeated. “Some one who is half human and-” he told a deep breath “-half ghost.”

“Excuse me?” Valerie looked at him like he was out of his mind. She put her hand on his forehead. “Maybe you need to go lay down. Let it just sink in.”

“Val,” he lowered her hand. “I'm not losing it. I'm just trying to tell you something important,” he clarified. “This baby is going to be part ghost,” he told her loudly, upset that she wasn't understanding.

Valerie just looked at him in disbelief, but then remembered that he came from a home of ghost hunters, and so thought maybe he knew something that she didn't. “Is it because of my ghost hunting? Is that why you wanted me to stop? Are they able to do something to unborn children?” she asked frantically before standing up angrily. “Dammit! I'll hunt them all down!” she yelled. “I'll make each and every one of them pay. They'll regret the day they messed with Valerie Gray!”

“Will you hunt down you're own child!” Danny asked angrily as he too stood up. “Because he or she will be a ghost too! Will you hunt down someone you're suppose to love and protect!”

Valerie's features softened as he finished yelling. Her hand went back to her stomach. “I'm sorry, Danny, but please understand, we can't keep this child.” Tears started to run down her face. “I promise that next time-”

“If you get rid of this child, Valerie, there will be no next time,” he threatened.

“Danny, there will be,” she tried to smile. “I promised next time that I'll be more careful. I won't let any of those filthy ghosts come near.”

“And what about me?” Danny asked before he could think about what he was saying.

“I- I don't understand,” she frowned.

“You act as if it's some kind of disease our child has caught, but it's not. It's who they will be! It's what they would all be.”

Valerie took a step back. “Danny, what are you talking about?”

“Look at me, Valerie,” he took a step closer. “I mean really look at me. Don't I remind you of anyone? Don't I look like someone else you know?” he asked her, tears unknowingly falling down his own face.

“Danny?”

“Answer me, dammit! Who do I look like? Who do I sound like?”

“Danny, please, you're scaring me,” she pleaded.

“You don't have an answer? Then let me provide one,” he said as he walked his way over to her, going into his ghost form as his heart stopped in his chest. “Congratulations. . . it's a ghost,” he said mockingly.

“No, this is a trick. Where is my Danny? What did you do with my Danny!” she tried to move, but found she had walked herself into a corner as her rival blocked her way.

“I am your Danny,” he told her. “This has always been me. Now you need to accept this. You need to finally accept who I am.”

“No!” yelled as she pushed him away. “Get off me!” She ran passed him and grabbed her purse sitting on the coffee table. “This is what you wanted all along, didn't you? You wanted to trick me. You wanted to make me love you and have your child! I bet you thought it would change me. Make me soft towards you because you were the father of my child. Well, I got news for you, Ghost, I never go back on my word. When I get rid of this abomination, I'm going to hunt you down and make you pay. I may not have my gear - I was foolish enough to let you hide them from me - but know that I'm not defenseless. . . nor stupid.” She pulled out a small ecto-ray gun from her purse. “Get out!”

Danny face was saddened as he heard her words. “Val, baby,” he began gently as he took a step towards her. “There was no trick. I love-”

“Get out!” she yelled before he could finish his statement. “And don't come back,” she said softly. “I'll pack up your things and dropped them off at your parents. Don't worry, I'll make up some lie, because I'm sure you haven't told them either," she paused. "Just don't come back.”

“Is this really how you want things to end?” he asked, but got nothing but a stern look from her as he continued looking down the barrel of her weapon. “Fine,” he frowned, taking a step back. “But if I see you in your ghost gear before that baby is due, I'll consider you a murderer, and I won't hold back like I've been doing for years.”

“You don't have to hold back when it comes to me. I can handle my own. Now out,” she demanded. A moment later he disappeared before her eyes and she knew he was gone. Valerie immediately broke down as she dropped her gun to the floor and placed both of her hands on her stomach. She fell to her knees as she continued to cry, not believing the man she had loved for years had been her enemy in disguise. “I loved you, Danny,” she said through her sobs.

Danny had gone intangible, but had not left the room. And as Valerie crumpled to the ground before him he placed his hand over his heart and was glad that it had stopped when he had turned ghost, because he knew if he hadn't, at this moment his heart would have broken and never been able to beat again.





Chapter One: Aftermath

“I love you, Valerie,” Danny smiled sweetly down at her, his blue eyes sparkling in the moonlight as they danced to the soft music playing in their living room.

“I love you too, Danny,” she responded, her smile just as bright.

His expression slightly faltered. “Through anything?” he whispered.

“Through it all,” she promised before tilting her head up and sealing it with a kiss.

“Valerie, sweetie, time to go,” the young girl, twenty-two years of age, thoughts were broken as she heard her father's voice. He was carrying the last box they had packed up. She was moving out of the apartment she had once shared with her ex-boyfriend Danny Fenton.

“Okay, dad, I'm coming,” she told him as she took one last look at the place she had once called home. She sighed silently as she placed her hand on her stomach. There were so many memories here, some good, some bad, and one she longed to forget. . .

Valerie closed the door behind her and locked it for the final time before going downstairs and giving the key to the owner. The owner was a sweet, little old lady, who had always been kind to her. “I'm going to miss you two kids around here. You were the happiest couple I had ever seen,” the owner told her as Valerie placed the key in her hand.

“Thank you, Miss Alice.” Valerie dropped her gaze, not really knowing why.

“Good luck, honey,” Miss Alice told her with an encouraging smile.

Valerie thanked her again before heading out the door to meet up with her father. She climbed into the passenger side of the truck that they had rented for the day and road in silence as they made their way across town to the small house that he now owned.

At the end of the day, Valerie sat down on her bed in her new room and looked out the window. Her shoulders slumped over as she realized she had no idea what she was going to do. She was in her last year of college and was struggling through her major in Business; she was holding down a job at Sears, in one of the departments on the top floor, and on top of that, she was pregnant with a child she couldn't afford and as of recently, didn't want.

She had found out when she had gone to the doctor's office, a few days after breaking up with Danny, that she had already entered into her second trimester and that it was too late to terminated the pregnancy. She went back to her apartment that night and cried until she fell asleep.

Valerie sighed as her hand went to play with the necklace around her neck. On the chain held an engagement ring that Danny had given to her after finding out about the baby. He told her that it was a family heirloom that had belonged to his great great grandmother.

“Come on now,” he had begun, after discovering the surprised look on her face as he slipped it on her finger. “Did you really think I wasn't going to marry you after I knocked you up?” he had asked her playfully.

She smiled at the memory, but it soon faded away as she took off the piece of jewelry, telling herself that she would mail it to him in the morning. She knew she had no right to keep it, being the one that broke things off. Only if he had told her sooner that he was the Phantom. . . Valerie shook her head, she knew it wouldn't have made a difference. She knew their breakup would have just been sooner.

“Valerie,” came her father's voice from the doorway. “It's time for dinner.” Valerie only nodded her head to indicate that she had hear him. Damon frowned as he looked at the back on his sadden daughter. He then walked into the room and sat down beside her. “Sweetie,” he began softly. “You've been mighty quiet all day. Don't you think you'd feel a lot better, if you told me what happened?” he asked. “Why you and Danny broke up.” But she said nothing. “Just talk to me, Valerie,” he pleaded.

“I'm pregnant,” she got straight to the point as she turned her head and looked her father in his eyes for the first time that day. "About fifteen weeks."

Damon eyes widened for a moment in surprise of the news. He sat silently as Valerie continued to look at him, waiting for him to say anything. “And Danny knew this?” he finally asked. Valerie nodded as she lowered her head and closed her eyes. Damon grew angry. “He left you pregnant?” he asked, thinking that didn't sound like the Fenton boy.

“No,” she whispered. “I kicked him out.”

“Why?” Damon needed to know.

“Because he's- and what I do- it just can't. . .” she trailed off. “It's complicated.”

Damon reached out and rubbed her back. “It's going to be alright. You can tell me in your own time. Plus, you know, I'll help however I can. You and the bab-”

“I'm not keeping the baby!” she spat angrily, suddenly standing up. “I refused to watch it grow up to be like him!”

Damon looked at her curiously as he stood up slowly. “What do you mean by that?” he asked her, his brow furrowed. “What did Danny do?”

“Nothing,” she responded quickly, inwardly cursing at herself for saying too much all ready. “I didn't mean anything by it.” She then tried putting on a smile, knowing her father would see right through it. “You said dinner was done right? Well, we don't want it to get cold.” She then walked passed her father who looked at her with a worried expression on his face.

OoOoO

After dinner and a very intense conversation with her father, which included adoption and a father's right, Valerie found herself in her room. She had upset her father, by telling him that she didn't wish for Danny's name to be on the birth certificate. She didn't want the child to be able to find Danny if he or she wanted to find their birth parents when they came of age. She knew as soon as she had said it, she had said the wrong thing.

Valerie's mother died when she was a year old. Her father's name wasn't originally on her birth certificate, due to a mistake by the hospital. The mistake went unnoticed until her mother's deaths. Her mother's family never approved of Damon, because he never seemed to be there for his small family, and so they fought for custody of Valerie, using the fact that he was never named as her father on the certificate as a foundation.

It also worked against Damon that Valerie was living with her grandparents, because they wouldn't allow him the blood test that he wanted. And he wasn't able to get a blood test until four years later when I judge ordered it. Damon Gray had fought tooth and nail for his daughter and had lost years with her he could never get back, and though he had no idea about Valerie and Danny's situation, it was struggle he would never wish on any decent man.

Back in her room, Valerie stood before her vanity mirror. She closed her eyes and when she opened them she donned her Ghosthunter 2.0 suit. It had been years since she had worn it, the stress it caused on her body when she was younger was more than she could take. She imagined she wasn't strong enough for it, for back in the tenth grade it had nearly killed her when it overheat after a gruesome fight with Skulker. Though she had loved the suit and all the new weapons that came with it, she didn't want to take the change of overheating again. So she had called Vlad Masters telling him she had wanted a new suit, he had welcomed his prodigy back with open arms and sent her a new suit by the next morning with the improvements she had requested.

She had seen the way the Phantom. . . Valerie sighed. She had seen the way Danny had taken out her last suit and knew the material had to be stronger to withstand his most powerful blast. Valerie looked back down at her suit and then back at her reflection. She had once said, she would give this up for him, it was why she didn't put up much of a fight when he had asked her to get rid of her gear. She wouldn't have said it then, but she thought she would finally be able to settle down, raise a family, be normal, but that just didn't look to be in her future.

Valerie then shook her head as she realized she still wasn't ready for this suit and so changed back to her normal clothes before picking up the phone and dialing ten numbers. “Hello, Mr. Masters?” she spoke softly.

“Aw,” he sounded pleased. “If it isn't the young Miss Valerie Gray. What can I do for you this evening?” he asked her.

“Um,” she began nervously. She felt a bit stupid. “I'm calling for a new suit.”

“What happened to your last one?” he asked.

“Danny hide it from me,” she explained.

“How is dear Daniel?”

“I wouldn't know. We broke up.” Valerie sat down. “Mr. Masters, brace yourself,” she warned him. “But Danny is the Phantom.”

“No, not Daniel,” he said in that way that always made her think he was mocking her. . . but that was ridiculous.

“Yes,” she confirmed. “He's a- a,” she tried to remember the word he used. “A halfa,” she said the word as if it were foul tasting within her mouth. “He told me, showed me himself.”

“And how do you feel about this,” he placed his words carefully.

“I feel like kicking his ass,” she told him.

“You'll have your new suit and jet sled by the morning,” he informed her.

“No,” she said quickly before he could hang up the phone. “It doesn't have to be that quickly,” she told him.

“Then when would you like it?” he asked curiously.

“In about seven months. . . after my baby is due,” she explained softly.

There was a moment's pause from his end. “I understand.”

“Thank you, Mr. Masters.”

“No, no dear child. Call me Uncle Vlad.”

“Thank you. . . Uncle Vlad.”





Chapter Two:

Danny took a sip of his canned soda as he sat in his old bedroom within the home he had grown up in. He was sitting at his desk trying to multi-task as was typing out a paper, about himself, of all things, for his speech class, plus doing his Statistics III work. They were the only courses he attended on campus at Amity Park State University. In fact, each semester he always took his math classes on campus.

His other courses he took on-line because of the convenience. He tried taking his speech class on-line as well, but it wasn't offered, for obvious reasons. Besides, between ghost hunting, his job at local car shop, and his Air Force Reserve responsibility - because there was no way he wasn't going to be an astronaut - he needed convenience in his life.

“Danny!” Maddie suddenly yelled out, which startled Danny, causing him to spill soda all over his keyboard. “Are you busy?”

Danny looked around for something to clean the soda up with. “Kinda!” he yelled back. His shoulders drop as he found nothing for the mess and took off his shirt to wipe down the board and the desk. He groaned picking up his wet Statistics book. “What is it?” he called back to his mother.

“I'm going out for a little while,” she announced. “Make sure you bring in the mail for me, alright?”

“Sure, mom,” he responded as he stood up, taking his soaking shirt and book to the bathroom down the hall. Once there, he laid his book on the sink counter and tossed the shirt into the hamper. He then found his mom's hairdryer and went to work drying the wet pages. He sighed. “Just my luck,” he said to himself.

Twenty minutes later, Danny was back in his room with a clean shirt, trying to deal with stained pages and a keyboard whose 'T' key, 'S' key, and 'N' key all became got stuck whenever he pressed down upon them. It was going to be a long day.

A few hours later, Danny found himself in the kitchen getting something to eat. When he had finished he started to head back to his room and while at the base of the stairs heard someone outside the front door. He opened the door to find the mail carrier on his way back down the porch steps, trying to hurry back up to his vehicle because of the cold weather. So Danny opened the mail box and carried the handful of envelopes inside. He flipped through them as he walked up to his mother's office to set them down.

“Bill, bill, junk, bill,” Danny separated them on the desk. “Ooh, jury duty.” He smiled as he knew his dad would be more than please to share his knowledge of ghost with anyone who would listen. But not even a moment later, his smile faded as a small packet, in one of those yellow envelopes, was revealed to him. “Valerie,” he whispered, dropping the other items in his hand to the floor.

It had been a couple of weeks since he had seen her, and he had been desperately trying to keep his mind off of her. He was deluding himself into thinking that maybe she would finally understand and forgive him, if he just gave her a little time. So Danny ripped it opened immediately and looked inside to find a letter. It read:

Danny,

I don't have much so say, so I'll keep this short. I hope you don't think this has been easy for me. I'm confused and torn between loving and hating you at the same time. You don't know how badly I want to forgive you, forget what you are, but I can't. You've lied to me, and not once, but twice tried to kill me-

“That was an accident!” he yelled at the letter. “I was trying to protect you!”

“Danny?” he gasped as he heard his mother's voice behind him. “Dear, what's wrong?”

“Nothing,” he told her quickly as he stuff his letter in his pocket before picking up the remaining mail off the floor. He put them on the desk. “I'll be in my room,” he said softly as he walked passed his mother. Maddie looked at him as he walked down the hall. She was afraid for him. She knew his break up with Valerie had been a painful ordeal for him, but he refused to talk about what had happened. And she was afraid how that kind of bottled up emotion would express itself.

Danny closed and locked his door behind him before pulling out his letter, as he did so, something else fell out of the yellow packet. He looked at it curiously, shaking his head in disbelief as he fell to one knee and picked it up. It was the engagement ring he had given her. She had given it back.

Danny sat down and leaned against the door, drawing his knee in before resting his elbow upon it, running his fingers through his dark hair. He stared at the ring in his other hand. He had had no intentions of marrying Valerie so early into their relationship, but with a baby on the way, he wanted to do the honorable thing.

He tilted his head back towards the door, he was at a lost. When Valerie had told him she was pregnant, there was nothing he wanted more. He had even imagined a little boy with Valerie's eyes, but now, he cursed the little boy he had thought of, and all the unhappiness it brought into his already imperfect life.

Danny closed his eyes, disgusted with himself for almost hating his unborn child. He wondered what kind of man that made him? How selfish could he be to think such a terrible thought, when he knew everything laid on him? He was the one who had thought he could hide his other self forever. He was the one who had thought, that somehow – someway – that she would love him enough to see past her own hatred. Although, he knew he had only told her the truth because he felt forced to.

He looked back at the ring. He had been so wrong about so many things, because he had done the one thing he had never wanted to do when it came to Valerie, he had hurt her.

Danny stood up, stuffing the ring into his pocket before grabbing his coat out the closest. He left his room and traveled towards the front door. “I'm going to Tuck's,” he called to his mother and was out the door.

OoOoO

Valerie pulled her winter coat tighter around her body as she walked the grounds of Amity Park State University. Her last class of the day had just let out and though they were only a week into the new semester her Literature 101 teacher, Dr. Monet had already given them an assignment to work on. They had been instructed to pick up a certain book in the library and prepare to discuss the first chapter for the next class meeting.

Valerie picked up her pace as she looked down at her watch. She had to hurry, for she had to be at work in less than an hour. Once in the library, Valerie didn't take the time to remove her coat, not believing that the task would take more than a few minutes. She then made her way upstairs to the second floor. She passed rows of books, scanning the markers on the sides until she found where she needed to be.

She preceded to walk down the aisle slowly, not wanting to over look the book. She nodded her head and smiled politely as she passed other students within the aisle. Spotting the orange covered book, Valerie smiled and reached out for it. “Oh, excuse me.” Came a voice, whose hand had ran into Valerie's while trying to obtain the book. “Let me guess,” he continued. “You take Dr. Monet?”

“Yeah,” she responded, not being able to help the smile that came to her face, for saying the man that stood before her was cute, would have been the understatement of the year.

“Here,” he said gently, holding the desired item towards Valerie.

“Thank you,” she responded just as soft, taking it from him before looking at where the book had been. “It seems to be the last copy. Are you sure you want to give it up?” she asked him.

“Don't worry about it,” he told her, taking off his glasses and cleaning one of the lenses with the bottom of his shirt. As he did this, his light green eyes looked into Valerie's. “I can find another copy. Besides, it looks like you're in a hurry,” he said, indicating that she was the only one inside still sporting her winter gear.

“Thanks, again,” she said.

He shook his head before replacing his glasses. “Honestly, it's no big deal.” He waved the matter off, turning around and walking away. “See you around, Valerie,” he said before reaching the end of the aisle and disappearing around the corner.

It wasn't until Valerie was waiting in the check out line that she realized the guy had said her name without her giving it to him. She frowned as she tired to remember if she had a class with him where he could have heard it, but she was sure that today was the first time she had seen him on campus. Valerie finally shrugged the matter off, it wasn't really that big of a deal, she decided as she made her way out the library and headed to work.

OoOoO

Valerie worked at a check out counter in the power tool section at Sears. She had been a there a few hours and was counting down the last hour until she was able to get off her feet and go home. Things were going fine, until a she saw a familiar face in the crowd walking towards her. She groaned in irritation.

“We need to talk,” Danny demanded.

“I'm working,” she told him, turning back to the next customer in line. “Would you like to apply for a Sears cards,” she asked her customer. “You'll get ten percent off your purchase.” The man politely declined her offer.

“You couldn't break it off with me in person?” Danny asked, ignoring the fact she was still on the job.

“What do you think that was three weeks ago?” she asked. “Here's your receipt, sir, have a nice night,” she said with a smile to the customer. “Next please.”

“You sent the ring through the Goddamn mail, Valerie.”

“Well, I was going to pawn it,” she lied just to upset him. “But that relic you call an engagement ring, I'm sure it isn't worth very much.” She pulled the security sensor off some clothes, that were placed on the counter, quite angrily. She then struggled to make a convincing smile. “Will you be using your Sears card, Ma'am?” she asked her new customer.

“Will you just look at me!” he yelled through clench teeth. “You know you don't want this. You know I still love you!”

Valerie turned to him quickly. “Go home, Danny,” she hissed. “Don't make me call security on you.”

Danny rose both eyebrows, surprised at her statement. “What's wrong?” he began in a whisper. “Afraid to fight your own battles now. . . knowing what I can do to you?”

Valerie scoffed and shook her head. “That's great, Danny. Tell me you love me and then threaten me, in front of several witnesses no less. You're really using that noggin of yours today, aren't you?” She went back to her task of ringing up store items. “But if that's your passive-aggressive, roundabout way of asking me if I went through with the procedure or not,” she paused and Danny anxiously found himself waiting for the answer. “If you really must know, I didn't.” There was the slightest smile on his face as he looked at her. “But only because it was too late.”

Danny continued to watch her as she worked. “I just want us to be a normal family, Val,” he told her one of his greatest wishes.

“Well, that's hard to do,” she handed the customer her receipt, “when you're a freak.” She never saw Danny's reaction, but waited for one of two things to happen when she knew she had provoked him. The first would be for him to yell at her at the top his lungs, which was what he normally did when they fought. The second was rare, where he would do the complete opposite and just close himself off. Then, to her surprise, the next thing Valerie heard were Danny's footsteps as he walked away.

She turned her head in enough time to see him get on the down escalator to leave the store. “Next please,” Valerie said to the next person in line as she tried to focus back on work, but then something caught her eye, and her chest sunk at the sight. Valerie reached for the engagement ring Danny had placed on the counter. She couldn't just leave it there, so she stuck it in her pocket. “Hi, will you be using your Sears Card today, Sir?” she tried to smile, but suddenly found it an impossible task.




Chapter Three: Behind Green Eyes

She didn't recognize me, I could see in her eyes, not even a spark of remembrance, but that's okay, it was to be excepted. I mean, it's been a few years since I left Amity Park and I no longer look like the person I used to be back in high school. But fortunately this is no longer high school anymore, because she did something she never would have dared to back then. . . she smiled at me and it was a beautiful smile. It lit up her entire face, making the cold winter day feel as warm as the clearest summer night. And I knew right there – at that very moment – I would do anything to see it again.

I know she started getting serious with that Fenton guy after I left. From my sources, I heard that they had been strong for many years, that is until recently. That's when I decided to come back home. My father thought I was out of my mind to want to transfer during my senior year of college, but I had given up on her once before, and it will be a cold day in hell if I ever let that happen again.

I went to her work the other night, trying to set up a chance meeting – so to speak – after our library encounter, but Fenton showed up. From where I was standing, they were arguing, but I could tell by the expression on his face he was trying to get her back – I wonder what that fool did to lose her – but it doesn't matter because his lost is my gain, because she didn't want to hear a word he was saying. He should have known better anyway, a woman of her caliber, of her class, her beauty, deserves better. . . she deserves me.

It makes my stomach churn, to think of those two together. I try not too, because I only end up making myself angry, but I can't help but to wonder, how many times she must have allowed him to hug her, to kiss her, to touch her in a way only a lover should know? I wanted to be her first, I wanted to be her last, and her only. I know now I can never be her first, I've come to grips with that. . . finally, but I can still be and will be her last and only.

Then it will be these arms that hold her tightly, these lips to kiss her tenderly, and this body to gently lay her down and pleasure her in a way that will completely erase Fenton from her mind. All I have to do is make sure I play my cards right and then she will be mine. Just like it should have been from the beginning. Then she will no longer run from me, no longer hide from me like she used to. Instead, she will seek me out and I will let her find me. And then my dear sweet Valerie Gray, you will smile that smile for me forever.

Then no one will come in between the love we will share. . . not even you, because I'll never let you go.

Never.




Chapter Four: One Wish

Tucker breathed heavily as he closed his eyes and laid his head on Sam's chest. Sam smiled happily as she twirled one of his dreadlocks around finger. She had convinced him it would be a good look on him and so he said he would give it a try. That was three years ago. His dreads now passes a little below his shoulders. He normally kept his hair in a ponytail, but doing times like these, when they made love, he wore it down, because he knew how much she liked to tug on them.

“We got to stop meeting like this,” Tucker spoke, making no attempt to move.

“Just a little longer,” Sam pleaded as she looked at the clock. It was going on two o'clock and Tucker had to be back at work before his lunch break was over.

“You know I can't,” he began, finally opening his eyes and getting out of bed. Sam sat up with him. “The mainframe of one of our biggest clients has been giving them trouble. I told Glenn I would start on it as soon as I got back from lunch.”

Sam pouted as he kissed her before heading to the bathroom within the hotel they had rented for the hour. She loved it when they did things like this – spur of the moment things, just because they could.

If you had told Sam, several years ago, that she would be in love with Tucker Foley, she would have laughed in you face and told you, you were crazy. Because back then, she had only had eyes for Danny Fenton. It had taken him awhile to get over the small thing he had had with Valerie in the ninth grade, but after all that, his eyes were finally opened and he was able to see what was already in front of him.

Sam had waited for so long for Danny to finally see her, that when when he did, she took not one moment for granted. She can still remember the first time they had made love, back in their junior year, he had cried. Sam thought it was because he was happy, but later on found out the truth. Earlier that day she learned that he had had an encounter with Valerie in ghost hunter mode along with a ghost calling himself Cyclone. While trying to attack Cyclone, who was going after Valerie, he accidentally hit her, causing her jet sled to spiral out of control. Danny tried with everything he had, but couldn't reach her before she hit the ground.

After that first night with Sam, Danny devoted himself to Valerie's side as she recovered in the hospital. Sam didn't even try to ask him to go home and rest, because she knew he would have never done it.

Tucker had came to visit Sam one night to see how she was doing. As they sat and talked, Sam realized, Tucker had always been by her side. When her parents divorced, Tucker was there. When her grandmother died, Tucker went to the funeral with her and held her hand before allowing her to cry on his shoulder where he whispered to her that everything was going to be all right. She even remember back in the ninth grade when he asked her to the dance. She had wanted to go so badly, but was too prideful in her ways to admit it. She had been so grateful, but never thanked him. In fact, she had ended her night with Danny out on the dance floor.

So as they sat at her house, him once again allowing her to pour out her soul as she cried on his shoulder, something odd struck her. She remember slowing pulling away as Tucker reached up to wipe away her tears. As he did so, Sam couldn't help but look into his eyes. He had such beautiful green eyes, she had thought, as she took his glasses off his face.

Tucker looked at her curiously with the gesture and asked what she was doing. She told him, she was thanking him before she leaned in and brushed her lips against his. Tucker had immediately pulled away, telling her she was upset and that she didn't want this. So she told him what she did want. She told him, she wanted to be happy. She wished to be happy. She then leaned in again, Tucker jumped slightly, but didn't pull away.

Sam had never meant for it to go beyond some kiss she shared with one of her best friends, but as Danny's ghost hunting seem to take a priory in his life, she and Tucker often found themselves left to their own devices more than they used to be. Sam couldn't tell you when or how exactly their affair started, but the feeling Tucker gave her was something she decided she wasn't willing to let go. So one night, she gathered her strength and confessed that she loved him. Tucker had been upset and conflicted. He didn't want to do this to Danny as he too realized he was in love.

Telling Danny, during their first year of college, that she was in love with someone else had been one of the hardest things she had ever done. It completely took Danny by surprise, he had never seen it coming. Sam then broke down as he asked her who and she told him Tucker. She knew he was truly hurt when he said nothing and walked out of her home. But their friendship had always been strong, and amazingly enough, it had survived. Things were difficult as first, of course, but as time went on, and things fell into a rhythm, it was as if it had always been her and Tucker. . . but then again, maybe on some level, it had always been them.

Sam smiled to herself at the thought. “Alright, where did you hide my keys?” Tucker asked as he stepped out of the bathroom, from his shower, wearing only a towel.

“Tucker?” she began as she beckon him to the bed.

He sat down beside her and lightly touched the skin on her shoulder before slipping his fingers behind her neck and bringing her towards him, stealing a kiss. “Yeah?” he finally responded.

“Marry me,” she whispered.

Tucker's head jerked back as his expression read of shock. “What?”

“Marry me,” she repeated.

Tucker's eyes soften. “Samantha Foley. It has a nice ring to it.” Sam laughed, knowing that meant yes as she pushed him to lay down on the bed before climbing on top of him. “Come on, Sam,” he whined, trying to hold back his smile. “I told you, I have to go to work.”

“Please, you're engaged to a Manson, now,” she began, running her hands along his strong chest as she slowly began to grind against him. “You don't have to work another day in you life, if you don't want to.”

Tucker, tilting his head back as he closed his eyes, let out a breath in pleasure. He then took a hold of Sam and brought her down to him before rolling her over. “That's very tempting and so is this,” he kissed her passionately, “but if I don't get back, Glenn will have my hide and a company could be out millions, if files are corrupted,” he explained.

Sam huffed as she rolled her eyes. “Fine,” she told him before letting him go and allowing him to get dressed.

Tucker's technology skills had helped him gain a career before he was even done with school. Anxious to do what he loved, he pushed himself and finished college in two and a half years. He had his own place and much to Sam's dismay, drove a gas-guzzling SUV.

Tucker finished dressing as he fixed his neck tie. “Are you coming over tonight?” he asked with his back to her.

“Can't,” her shoulders slumped. “I have to attend some banquet with my parents,” she told him.

Tucker laughed. “I thought divorce people divorced so they didn't have to do things together anymore?”

“Yeah, I don't think they get that,” she said as he walked over to her, leaned over, and kissed her forehead.

“Call me afterwards. No matter how late.” He then held out his hand. “Keys.” Sam scoffed as she reached under her pillow and handed him his keys. She was always trying to stall him. “Love you,” he told her sweetly.

“Yeah, yeah, get out of my face,” she said in mock indifference, causing Tucker to laugh before finally leaving back for work.

OoOoO

Valerie sat at table within the library on the third floor in one of it's study rooms. She groaned as she rested her head in her hand as she turned the page of her orange covered book with the other. “You're a falling leaf, from the highest tree, soaring in the wind. With the purest eyes, heeding to your call, wish upon these lips. Can you see the breath, you have gladly stole, hope I still do send. Fall no more I pray, trust in what you know, reach for fingertips,” Valerie read the line again out loud. The assignment has seem simple enough: Write what each stanza is trying to convey.

“I have no idea what this crap means,” she whined as she allowed her head to fall on the table.

“It's about unrequited love,” answered a voice.

Valerie gasped loudly in her surprise as her head snapped back up. She frowned as she recognized the redhead from the other day. “It's not nice to sneak up on people,” she said, a little disturbed she wasn't able to sense anyone come in.

“I'm sorry,” he said sincerely. “I didn't mean to frighten you.” He took a sit next to her.

“I wasn't frighten,” she straighted out the hem of her shirt. “Just startled.” She then looked back at him. “So um were you able to find a copy?” she asked indicating her book.

“Yes,” he said simply. He then reached into his bag and pulled it out along with his worksheet and a pencil.

“What are you doing?” she asked point blank.

“Studying,” he answered, opening his book.

“With me?” She cocked an eyebrow.

“Nah, Valerie,” he tilted his head in her direction, making his glasses slide down his nose, “with the other dozen or so people in the room.”

Valerie rested her arms on the table and leaned on them a bit. “You're not in any of my classes-” she was interrupted.

“You've been checking up on me. I'm flattered,” he smiled.

Valerie couldn't help but smile back. “Don't be. I just want to know how you know my name.”

The red head's smile faded. “You really don't recognize me, huh?” he asked pushing his glasses back up.

“Sorry,” Valerie found herself saying, his expression looking as if it called for one.

“It's alright. I have Dr. Monet right after you. He likes to call you back after your class it seems.”

Valerie groaned as she slumped in her seat. “I know. He always calls on me to answer the one question I don't know from the homework. I swear, I must look like an idiot to the rest of the class.”

The guy next to her laugh. “I'm sure you're far from an idiot. Come on,” he brought her book closer to her, “I'll help you.”

“That's very nice of you, uh. . . I have no idea what your name is,” she confessed.

“Nathan,” he told her.

“Nathan,” she whispered to herself so she would remember it. She then laughed lightly. “I used to know a Nathan back in high school.”

“Really?” his lips barely moved as he asked and slightly straightened up.

“Yeah,” she confirmed as she looked down at the stanza again. “Found myself being nice one day, and I guess I said or did something that made his day, because everyday after that, until he moved, he used to follow me around asking-”

“Will you go to the prom with me?” Nathan finished her statement.

Valerie than turned to him. “Cooper? Nathan Cooper?” She sat back a little looking at this man before her. “No way,” she whispered.

“Yeah,” he nodded. “Hi.” He gave an awkward little wave.

“No way,” she repeated, still in disbelief. “Uh- welcome back,” was all she could think to say. “I suppose.”

“Relax, Valerie,” he told her. “Trust me, I'm not some hormonal fourteen year old boy anymore. I'm not going to be chasing you around, if that's what you're worried about-”

“That's good to hear,” she said softly.

“- or masturbating to the pictures I have of you, or-”

“What?” Valerie cut him off as her brow furrowed at the last statement.

“Nothing,” he said quickly, trying to hold his expression, but couldn't as he started laughing. “I'm joking,” he told her.

Valerie relaxed and shook her head as she began to laughed too. “Oh, so you got jokes now?”

Nathan shrugged. “A few,” he answered. He then cleared his throat before turning to his own book. “So you were on stanza three?” he asked.

“Uh-huh,” she picked her pencil back up and started writing, “I think you said something about unrequited love.”

“Yeah,” he confirmed gently before they proceeded to help each other with their work.





Chapter Five: Popcorn Trouble

Valerie waited anxiously in her Literature class as Dr. Monet called his students one by one to collect their first test grade. She hadn't been doing well on the quizzes and needed a good score to balance it out. Her leg shook up and down under the table as her fake nails taped rhythmically on top of it. She then heard a snap like sound and groaned as she realized she broke a nail. When Valerie had first started ghost hunting, she never had time to get her nails done like she used to and now that she finally had the time she was breaking them off. It was the second nail that day. She whined to herself as she wondered how much it would cause to have them fixed.

“Gray, Valerie,” her instructor called and she wasted no time slinging her bookbag over her shoulder and walking to the front of the class to receive her grade.

As she made her way to him, she said a silent pray, which consisted of, Big Bucks, Big Bucks, Big Bucks, No Whammies! She shook her head from side to side and concluded she had to stop watching the Game Show Network.

Finally she reached Dr. Monet, with his emotionless like stare that he had. Valerie held her breath as he passed her the single sheet of paper. A small smile then crept onto the fifty year old man's face. “I'm impressed, Miss Gray,” he told her honestly.

Valerie reached for the paper and blinked at her grade, a ninety-six. She clung the paper to her chest like it was her own life as she looked at her instructor. “I love you,” she told him.

He laughed as he put his hand on her shoulder. “I'm sure you do, but it was your own effort that got you the grade.” He then released her. “Now get out,” he told her and reached for the next paper in his bundle. “Green, Alfred.”

Valerie left the room quietly, but stayed in the hall near the classroom as she waited to tell Nathan what she had made. It had been a little over two weeks since they had started studying together in the library. He literally would allow her to leave, until it appear that she knew everything they had that day. Valerie knew she knew the material, but she was one of those people whose mind often went blank when the test was actually in front of them. “Nathan!” she called and waved as she spotted him among the crowd of people who where either going or leaving class.

“Well, don't leave me hanging,” he told her as he reached her and pointed to the piece of paper in her hand. “How did you do?” he asked, though by the huge grin on her face he already knew she had gotten the grade she wanted, but he didn't want to ruin her moment.

“I made an 'A',” she squealed excitedly before she threw an arm around his neck to hug him. Nathan laughed at her happy mood. “Thank you,” she told him softly.

“No problem,” replied as she pulled away. “So,” he clapped his hands together and rubbed together, “how about tonight, in celebration, we uh catch a movie, maybe do a little dinner?” he asked her.

“Ooh,” the smile fell from Valerie's face. “Well actually, because you had mentioned not having a study session after the test, I told my boss to put me on work schedule tonight.” She looked at him apologetically.

Nathan shook his head waved it off. “It's alright, no big deal.” He then looked at the clock the hall. “I should head inside. Catch you Monday though?” he asked as he started walking backwards towards the classroom. Valerie nodded her head before saying goodbye.

Nathan frowned once his back was too her and he was inside Dr. Monet's Literature class. He told himself to stay calm and that he couldn't rush things. She would be his, there was no doubt about it, he just had to be patient. “Yo, Nate!” he heard a voice behind him as he sat down. He looked over and saw Valerie in the doorway of the class.

“I get off at nine,” she stated with a smile. “How about we forget the dinner, but catch a late show?” she asked. Nathan only looked at her and blinked, he never expected that of her. “Uh- Nathan?” she looked a little confused.

His classmate next to him shook his head as he leaned over. “The girl is hella fine,” he whispered to him. “Just say yes,” he told him.

“Yeah,” Nathan finally spoke, leaning on his desk. “Pick you up at work?”

“Uh, no, I got my car today,” she confirmed before giving him a small wave goodbye and leaving before Dr. Monet called her out.

OoOoO

The night air was cool as Valerie parked her car under one of the street lights in the parking lot of the movie theater. After putting her keys in her purse she rose her hand and brought down her visor to check her hair, though she didn't know why considering she was going to put on her hood as soon as she stepped out the car. She then checked her watch, it was it was almost half pass the hour she noted as she placed her hand on the handle and opened the door, but only had one foot out before crying softly, “Ow,” as her free hand went immediately to her stomach.

Valerie frowned as she thought why it could be hurting. She shook her head as she tried to convince her it wasn't because of the chill dogs she had had for breakfast, or the extra cheese pizza for lunch, or the two root beer floats she had after that. Her hand then went to her mouth as she let out a large belch. She looked around, a bit a embarrassed, but when she saw no one else around she laughed at herself and finally got out the car, muttering something about 'stupid cravings'.

As Valerie walked through the parking lot towards the theater and a waiting Nathan, she couldn't help the smile that came to her face. Already she was glad she had changed her mind about going out tonight, that and she knew it would get her dad off her back. It bothered him that she didn't hang out with her friends anymore and other than school and work she was at home all the time.

At the mention of her friends, Valerie had thought of several people. First there was Star, who she had always been cool with, even after her dip in popularity back in high school, but she had moved out of state along with her boyfriend Kwan, who had gotten a football scholarship at some school Valerie couldn't remember. Next on Valerie's short list was Sam and Tucker, but she wasn't really sure if she could qualify them as her friends, they came with Danny, a packet deal, she knew when she lost, she lost them too.

Valerie shook herself from her thoughts as she saw Nathan smiling at her from the over sized sidewalk. “Thought maybe you were going to stand me up,” he told her as she finally reached him.

“Yeah, I kind of got hung up at work,” she explained as they waited in line to purchase their tickets. “So what do you want to see?” she asked as she looked at the movie listing above theticket booth.

“Hmm,” he thought it over as he too looked at the listing. A wicked smile than invaded his features as he looked down at Valerie. “Up for a good scare?” he asked in a eerily deep, but playful voice.

A huge grin then spread across her face. “I don't scare easily,” she informed him.

“Oh really?” Nathan cocked an eyebrow curiously as he took a step closer to her, his voice still the same, but no longer was his face evident of a smile. “I'll have to remember that for the future.”

Valerie put her hand on his chest and let out a small laugh. “Yeah, you do that,” she responded before they finally came to the front the line, paid for their ticket and head inside.

Nathan bought a thing of popcorn for them, well Valerie bought a couple of sodas before they went to go find a seat, hoping it wouldn't be too packed, considering they had gotten there a little late. “I said, my bad,” whispered Valerie to the complaining Nathan, who was saying something about how the previews were the best part of the movie as they had just missed them. They were able to settle in the very back row as the beginning credits began.

About half an hour into the movie, Valerie had both of her hands covering her eyes. “Is it over yet,” her voice shook slightly as she asked.

Nathan chuckled as he mocked her. “I don't scare that easily.” Valerie turned to him before smacking his leg. “Ow!” he cried out, causing several people to turn in their direction and shh them. “What?” he looked at them curiously. “I'm being abused back here,” he told them.

“Don't tell them that!” She smacked him again.

“See?” He pointed her out, forcing her to grab his hand and bring it back down.

“Just be quiet,” some dude said out in the crowd before everyone turned back to the movie.

“Don't embarrass me,” she told him softly.

“I'm not,” he replied. “It's dark, no one can see you.” He grabbed a hand full of popcorn. “Watch,” he said before eating a few kernels and then throwing the rest at the guy who had told them to be quiet, who was sitting a few rows up. Valerie gasped in horror as the guy turned around, she then looked to Nathan who was looking at the screen as if he hadn't done anything. His eyes than slid over to Valerie and winked at her as the guy turned back around.

“You're going to get us kicked out of here,” she tired to sound serious, but couldn't.

Nathan took her wrist and put her hand in the popcorn bucket. “Well, then if we do, we're going down together,” he told her. “Go ahead, I dare you,” he encouraged her.

“No,” she took her hand out the bucket. “It's childish.”

“What's wrong?” He played on. “Chicken? Scared maybe?”

“Of course not. I just don't want to,” she stated.

Nathan stared at her for a moment. He then sighed as he leaned back in his seat. “Fine,” he told her and went back to watching the movie.

“Good.” She nodded her head and she too went back to watching the movie, but every time she went for popcorn Nathan smiled at her.

“You know you want to.”

“No, I don't.”

“Don't deny yourself, Valerie,” he continued. “I can see it in your eyes.”

“Shut up!” she whispered harshly.

“Come on,” he begged.

She huffed loudly. “Will it get you to sit still?” she asked him and he nodded his head. “Fine.” She grabbed a handful of popcorn and tossed it at the same guy, who turned around swiftly with a 'What the hell?' look on his face. Valerie didn't have much of a poker face like Nathan and so had to pretend she was coughing to cover up her laughter.

A moment later, a bright light was shined into her face. “Hi, excuse me,” came the voice of an usher. “I'm sorry, but that kind of behavior is not permitted here. I'm going to have to ask you to leave,” she told her.

Valerie turned to Nathan as she stood. “See I told you, you were going to get us kicked out.”

“Us?” he looked at her curiously as he slouched in his seat and placed the bucket in his lap before taking a slip of soda.

Valerie then grabbed him by the collar and yanked him out of his chair. “Get your ass up,” she told him.

“I was playing!” he told her grabbing his coat before the two were ushered out the door. Valerie frowned as she zipped up her coat. “You're not angry,” Nathan told her.

“You don't know what I am.”

“You had fun,” he said, zipping up his own coat as he saw Valerie purse her lips together. “Go ahead and admit it.”

Valerie thought it over. “Okay, maybe a little,” she confessed as Nathan offered to walk her to her car.

“I knew it.” He took in his small victory. “I'll make it up to you. I'll buy it when it comes out on DVD and we can finish watching it.” He then tilted his head. “Well, in your case, I guess you'd be seeing it for the first time.”

Valerie looked to him. “And what is that suppose to mean?” she asked.

“You know exactly what it means, Miss I-can't-stand-the-sight-of-blood.”

Valerie blushed slightly. “Well, there was a lot of it,” she tired to defend herself. “That's me,” she pointed out her car. They walked over to it and when she got in she rolled down her window. Nathan then bent over and rested his arms on the window still.

“This was fun,” he told her softly. “We should do this again sometime.” He then bobbed his head from side to side a little with a smile. “And maybe even see the end of the movie.”

“So not my fault,” she said as she looked for her keys.

“Hey, who got caught?” he asked.

“Hey, who was-” Valerie cut herself off as she looked to her beeping watch, that not only alerted her at the top of the hour, but when a ghost was near by. She looked around the seemingly empty parking lot with her hand fingering her ecto-ray gun in her purse, which she carried at all times, just in case.

Nathan looked at Valerie oddly, not able to explain why she was looking at everything, but him. “Val-” he began, but was cut off as Valerie crushed her lips against his. Whatever question he was going to ask was lost as he wasted no time returning her kiss.

Danny took a sharp intake of air as his eyes grew twice their size before he froze in midair. The ghost he had been chasing half across town took it as his opportunity to escape and was gone in an instant. Danny's shock soon turned into anger as his bright green eyes burned intensely.

He couldn't believe it, she was out dating, as if she wasn't pregnant with his child. He wanted to go down there and rip that dude off of her, but he had to control his angry. It wasn't like he and Valerie were together anymore, he didn't have the right to be angry, he tried to tell himself. He had just thought she would have at least waited longer than a month before she started seeing someone else. Was it really that easy for her to get over me? he thought, finally forcing his eyes to leave the couple, before he turned around and sadly flew home.


To Be Continued. . .