Hello! Lateraina Wolf & WingsOfMorphius here, and ready to present you with a combined project that’s been in the works for some time now. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Danny Phantom is owned by Butch Hartman and Nickelodeon Studios. “Stand Up” is property of Trapt and can be found on the album, “Someone In Control.”

Stand Up

Chapter One

Why don’t you let me be…leave me alone

Danny’s blue eyes stared blankly up at the ceiling, counting the plastic stars plastered there. He thought himself to be pretty sad, lying there, completely bored out of his mind, rather than go downstairs to eat breakfast or watch tv like he did on most Saturdays.

And yet, there he was, wondering how long he could stay invisible to the world in his own home. He stubbornly wouldn’t admit to himself that he was terrified to go downstairs and face his parents and the awkward silence that always came with it lately. He wasn’t afraid of his own parents…he was just afraid of what they’d say…

He felt stupid for worrying about it. It had been only a week since they’d found out and he’d been…pretty shy about talking to them about it…or anything else since it had.

Even if he knew their opinions…even before they had, or remembered for that matter, he didn’t realize how hard it would be to continue living his life with them knowing. It was…getting more uncomfortable each day.

Not to mention, he was feeling guiltier about not telling them in the first place himself instead of them finding out like they had. He’d kept this secret for so long from them and he’d been so used to making up excuses to why he’d always been late or class or had skipped school or all the little accidents he’d had that had given him large bruises or scrapes and cuts he couldn’t really explain.

Now he didn’t need explanations. And of course, now he didn’t have any reason to lie to his parents. It was kind of…relieving in a way. He didn’t have any obligation to why he did the things he did.

That didn’t necessarily mean they liked it…

He hadn’t really talked to them. Then again…it would be easier if he knew what to say to them. After keeping it from them so long, after all the times he’d nearly…lost his life a few good times, all the excuses he’d made and lies he’d told them…It wasn’t exactly something you just…brought up after “pass the milk.”

He kept trying to remind himself that they had assured him that “he was still their son” and “you’re the same person, just with ghost powers” but he couldn’t help but feel that in somehow, they didn’t think that sometimes…

“Morning Danny,” said an unnaturally chipper voice for this early in the morning.

He jumped in shock, turning to see his older sister standing in the doorway. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

She laughed and walked into his room without invitation (which he was to used to people doing by now he ignored it) and sat down at the edge of his bed. He almost laughed; it was something his mother had used to do when he was younger.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing,” he replied, shrugging.

“Why are you still in bed?” she wondered, brushing her red hair from her pretty face.

“Just thinking…” He sighed. “About stuff.”

“Are you hungry?”

“A little…”

“Why don’t you go downstairs for breakfast until starving yourself up here until dinner?” she mused.

“I thought I might lay here a bit,” he muttered, looking away from her.

“You mean, stay clear of mom and dad,” she guessed.

“I didn’t say that,” he told her, glancing back nervously.

“You didn’t need to say it.” She sighed and set a hand on his. “I think you might be a little comfortable to know that they…they left earlier this morning.”

“They’re not here?” he asked, raising an eyebrow and sitting up.

“It’s just us now.” She looked away, her lips twitching as she searched for something to say. “You shouldn’t be afraid. You know how they feel about this. Actually, it wouldn’t be the first time, remember?”

“I know…but it’s just…getting weirder,” Danny told her, rubbing his arms.

“Weirder how?”

“They seem…I don’t know. I still think they want to like, open me up and examine me or something. Or…sometimes I feel like they’re afraid of me.”

“Don’t be silly, that’s not true,” she said.

“It isn’t?” He looked up at her. “Maybe they do feel that way.”

“Or maybe…you’re just paranoid. You don’t scare mom and dad. And they certainly don’t want to like…throw you out on the streets or rip you open or something. And if they’re acting weird, it’s because they’re curious.”

“Curious?” he wondered, raising an eyebrow.

Jazz sighed. “Danny…you’re one of the few good ghosts we’ve met. There’s got to be something about you that made you different from all the other ghosts you’ve fought. Whether it be your own decision or not.”

“I’m different alright,” he grumbled.

“Ugh, come on, let’s go get something to eat,” she suggested, putting her arm around him. “You can watch cartoons or something without having to worry about being put under a microscope, okay?”

“Okay, okay,” he agreed. “Let me get dressed first at least.”

“Hurry up, ya lazy bums,” she urged, smacking him with a small throw pillow and standing up. “I made pancakes.”

“Really?” Excited, he nearly fell off the bed rather than trying to stand up normally and hurried towards his dresser.

“It’s funny how the promise of food just makes both you and dad snap into attention,” Jazz said, rolling her eyes.

“Ha ha,” he said sarcastically, doing the same unintentionally with a sigh.

She grumbled as she walked out into the hallway and he got dressed fast, not bothering the attempt to make his hair be anything but messy. His sister was quick to notice.

“Your hair is all over the place,” she blurted, following him towards the stairs.

Danny dodged her outstretched hand, giving her a glare. “No touching. It’s Saturday, I’m allowed to have bed head at least until one o’clock.”

She snorted and ran her hands through her own hair. “Whatever…” He slid down the stairwell and landed haphazardly upon the floor. Jazz shook her head. “Good going grace.”

“Shush, one of these days I’ll get it and then I’ll-” He stopped, wide eyed as he heard laughter echo in the kitchen. His mother’s laughter. Turning rapidly, he grabbed Jazz’s arm and yanked her down the two remaining steps and behind the wall. “You said they weren’t here,” he said through gritted teeth, figuring they’d hear him if he spoke normally.

“Oh…I lied,” she said. “Why are we whispering?”

“Jazz…” He stared incredulously, wondering if she was crazy or if she just liked to drive him crazy.

“Danny, I had to get you down here somehow. You can’t avoid them forever,” she said. “Stay in the room with him, make conversation and he can just talk to them.”

“Jazz…” He swallowed hard, glancing back into the other room. “I can’t just talk to them.”

She looked confused for a moment and then brushed it off. “I’ll make conversation. Normal conversation. You’ll be fine. I’ll stay in the room with you and you can just talk to them.”

“I got that after the first time you said it, I’m just…” Danny trailed off nervously.

“Relax…okay? You’ll be fine, I promise,” she assured him. “Come on…” She placed a hand on his shoulder, both to steer him towards the kitchen and to make sure he didn’t run for it, but he was too preoccupied to really notice. Soon after, they were stepping into the brightly lit room.

“Morning Danny!” Maddie greeted cheerfully.

“Hi son,” Jack said, nearly at the same time.

He blushed furiously as he had to clear his throat to say something. “Heya,” he said, sliding into the seat next to his dad.

“Sleep well?” she asked.

“Pretty good,” he replied. He threw a look over across the table where Jazz was now seated, but she kept her expression neutral.

“Any ghost trouble?” Jack wondered.

Danny blinked. That question coming from them would take a lot of getting used to. Usually, it was only his two best friends and Jazz who asked. “No, actually…Sam and Tucker and I went to the movies.”

“Really? What did you watch?” Jazz inquired.

He was onto her scheme…as it was rather obvious. On certain occasions that didn’t involve ghost busting, Jazz minded her own business on where he went and what he did (when it came to hanging out with his best friends at least). He knew she was just trying to turn the conversation away from ghosts. Personally, he was grateful, but he didn’t say so.

“Attack Of The Fairies. It was some sort of sci-fi movie. Tucker suggested it,” he replied, shrugging. “The coolest part was that the “military fairies” had machine guns.” Even now, the memory made him smile and feel…strangely more comfortable.

Jack laughed and raised his eyebrows. “Fairies with machine guns. What a nightmare there.”

“Sam thought they were awesome,” he added. “We went to the mall afterwards and she even bought a tee shirt with them on the front.” Along with a few other Goth accessories that he figured he didn’t want to mention. “Tucker, however, even though he wanted to go in the first place said it was too D&D. Which, I didn’t see. Most fairies in D&D aren’t packing.”

Maddie grinned, laughing as she flipped over pancakes and his stomach growled. Well, at least Jazz hadn’t lied about the food. “Sounds like you had a good night,” she said.

“Yeah…” The movie had been great and going around shopping for random things had been just as fun. Walking around and dodging glances with passersby as they decided to stop, point, stare, whisper, etc. about him as he walked past wasn’t so much fun. The whole town was in a current gossip fix and the fact that it was him they were talking about made him writhe inside.

It had only been a week… Just a week. His parents had finally asked the city’s police force to watch the house and arrest any type of reporter after the billionth request for an interview. So far, he hadn’t given any, thanks to his friends, parents, and select few teachers at school. He still randomly saw himself on the news however, the same footage of how he’d been exposed.

He still knew the only reason he was the center of attention was that everyone did finally know about his ghost powers. New people came up to him all of the time wanting to know what his secret was, how he got his powers, what powers he had…pretty much everything he didn’t want people to know. But they were friendly at least.

There were a few that had decided to go the opposite direction in their feelings towards him. At Casper High, there were a couple of students who thought his exposure was some sort of set up and he was faking at all. But most of the kids his age were actually with him more than against him. Still, it didn’t help that he didn’t like to change right in front of them unless in dire emergencies like what had happened before. He felt like the spotlight was on him enough. Anytime his ghost sense went off, he told the teachers he needed to go the restroom like normal; some of them let him go without question, either understanding or just not getting it…but there was one teacher who just wouldn’t really leave him alone.

Still, the scale was tipped towards the majority of small children who adored him and the kids and teenagers who admired him curiously. Even so, that majority could easily be swept away by the power of the adults, most of which didn’t trust his real motives and thought him to be a menace rather than a hero. He wondered vaguely what the situation would be like if his parents weren’t the most famous people in the city of Amity Park. Would people treat him differently? He doubted the answer was no.

“Danny?”

He started, snapping out of his thoughts. “Yeah?”

“Want some pancakes?” Maddie repeated. He hoped she hadn’t asked more than once and nodded.

“Yes, please,” he answered.

“Are you okay?” Jazz asked. He wished she hadn’t of.

“Fine; zoning out.” He rubbed the back of his neck nervously and a few seconds after, his mom laid a plate down in front of him. “Thanks.”

“I’m hoping it’s better than the breakfast you had yesterday,” she told him with a sly grin. He knew the reason why; he hadn’t eaten anything yesterday.

“Yeah,” he said softly.

“Do ghosts need to eat?” Jack wondered absentmindedly.

“Dad, Danny’s only half ghost,” Jazz pointed out. Danny stared at her, wide eyed. This was the subject he still wanted to avoid…She didn’t notice. And she was the one who was supposedly trying to retain to “normal” conversation… “So his human self would need to eat.”

“What about your Phantom side, Dan? Does it eat normally as well?”

It? The word made Danny cringe. It was still him…he was the same person. A sharp pain went through his head and he massaged his temples with his fingers. “Um…yeah, I guess so. I’ve never really thought about it actually.”

Maddie watched intently, but set a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Are you alright sweetie?”

“Yeah,” he said quickly. “Just a headache.”

“Just a headache or something else?” he heard Jazz ask.

“It’s just a headache,” he insisted, glaring at her.

She looked at him, wearing the same confused look she’d had earlier, pressing her lips together as if she was going to say something, but remained silent instead.

He twirled his fork nervously in the pool of maple syrup on his plate, his stomach growling and reminding him of how hungry he was. He finally broke a piece off and was about to eat when the phone rang.

“I swear if that’s the Enquirer again, I’m personally going to deliver them a message,” his mother muttered darkly, standing up to go answer it.

The statement made Danny feel less than comfortable, knowing he was being stalked by one of the leading tabloids of the country. Despite his rumbling stomach, he set down his fork, scratching his head nervously.

Maddie set the phone near his ear. “Sam…really.”

He almost laughed, letting out a small sigh instead. The last time someone had called claiming to be Sam, it had been a reporter for the Tribune eager for the low down.

He pressed the phone to his ear and pushed his chair back. “Hello?”

“Heya, what’s the plan for today?”

Danny smiled, loving it. Sam would always call him to see what he wanted to do. She never offered places to go unless they were totally desperate. It was funny how he’d started to notice the little things about their friendship.

He walked out of the kitchen, feeling better with every step. “No clue.”

“Do you ever have a clue?”
Her teasing tone made him laugh. “I love you too Sam…” He heard her laugh as well on the other side, but she cut if off shortly. Grinning, he sat down on the stairs, his back pressed up against the railing. “Movies, mall, heck, hang out in a parking garage?”

“You…are the strangest person, I swear,” she stated. He could already visualize her eyes rolling as she turned around in the swivel chair. It was the same seat she always sat in while she was on the phone. He didn’t think she noticed, but he did.

“I’m strange, huh?” he challenged.

“Yes, yes you are…”

He could hear her music playing in the background and hummed along. “Please help me cause I’m breaking down. This picture’s frozen and I can’t get out…Please help me cause I’m breaking down… This picture’s frozen and I can’t get out of here…Believe me, I’m just as lost as you…”

“I have that song stuck in my head, and you’re not helping,” Sam said with a laugh.

“I can hear your radio,” he told her. “Hey actually-”

“Radio? I don’t have my radio on,” she stated.

“What do you mean?”

“My radio isn’t on,” she repeated.

“Oh…” He shook his head, wondering where it had come from, but it didn’t help his headache any. “Ow…”

“You okay?” she asked sincerely.

“Yeah, I just have a headache,” he said. He laughed. “Maybe we’re on the same brain wave or something.”

“In that case, I’m surprised you haven’t screamed in terror yet.”

He burst into laughter, honestly wondering how she was able to make him feel so much better. A strange sensation started in his fingertips and he wished he was over there with her. The thought made him blush and he cleared his throat.

“S-so anything specific that you maybe wanted to do?” he asked, clearing his throat.

“I want to hear more about this parking garage thing that you randomly came up with ya weirdo.”

“Oh, I’m weird?” he said, more to himself than to her, but saying it loud enough so that she could hear it. And sure enough-

“I heard that.”

He laughed. “Yeah, and what are you going to do about it? It’s not like you can come through the phone wire.”

“Does the phrase, “I know where you live” ring a bell?” she challenged.

Still in laughter, he scrunched up his nose at the smell of her fingernail polish. “Whoo, that stuff reeks.”

“What did your dad blow up now?” She seemed unaware of what he was really talking about and he suddenly got it, sitting upright. A gasp must have escaped him because she then asked, “You okay?”

“Yeah…I just got this really weird feeling,” he said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He had to be losing his mind. But… “Hey, Sam…I’ve got a weird question.”

“You’re full of them. I’m used to it.”

He smiled, but it didn’t last long as a small twinge of pain went through his forehead. “You’re…are you painting your fingernails?”

“Yes, I got a new bottle last…How did you know that?”

He didn’t know. How was it possible for him to smell the most likely black liquid when he was at least five blocks from her house?

“Hey, Danny, you’d better get back in here before dad eats all of your food!” Jazz warned from in the kitchen. He glanced at his watch. He’d been on the phone for nearly ten minutes.

“What’s up Danny?” Sam’s consoling yet curious tone echoed through the receiver and he sighed. Before he said a word, he heard her sigh. “Need to get out for a while?”

“That…that would be great,” he agreed.

“Alright. Let’s hit the movies again. Just you and me. No offense to Tucker, but it’s better when he doesn’t sit between us and complain the entire time.”

He personally agreed, recalling the previous night, but partly felt guilty for leaving his best bud behind. Still, it wasn’t like he wouldn’t get over it… “Yeah, that sounds awesome. It’s a date. I mean, not really, I mean…” he stammered.

“I get it Danny,” she said. He could hear the clear amusement in her voice and felt his cheeks heat up once again.

“Glad you do,” he replied, grinning.

She snorted. “You are…never mind.”

“What?”

“Never mind,” she replied. “I’ll be there around noon.”

“Cool. I’ll be waiting.” Most likely outside...

“See ya.”

“Lata.”

He slid the phone down his cheek and pressed the button to hang it up. Closing his eyes for a moment, he figured if his headache was this bad now, a movie wouldn’t help. Unless he took a lot of pain killers before, which right then, sounded even better.

He stood on his feet and walked back into the kitchen, setting the phone in its cradle before sliding back in his chair. He met his mother’s gaze and smiled, about to tell her about his plans with Sam when she walked over, looking concerned.

“Danny, sweetheart, are you sick?”

“Hmm?” Now it was his turn to be confused. “I feel fine, why?”

“You look kind of pale, that’s all.” She felt his forehead despite his answer, but then gave the sign of motherly approval and sighed happily. “How’s your headache?”

“Massive…” he replied honestly, taking a bite of pancake. By now, it was cold and at least four pieces had disappeared. His father innocently looked away as he cast his gaze in his direction and he couldn’t help but smile, shaking his head.

Jazz carried her empty plate over to the sink. “What did Sam want?”

As if it were your business, he thought, giving her a glare.

“I’m just interested, chill. I make it my business,” she replied.

Even Maddie and Jack stared at her, shocked. Danny had thought she’d answered to his evil look, but she’d nearly repeated exactly what he’d just had in his head with the second statement.

“What?” she asked, looking paranoid.

“I didn’t say anything,” he said after a pause, holding his hands up in defense. “Ow…” he murmured as another pain went across his eyes. “Sam and I are going to the movies later on today.”

Maddie suddenly shrieked and it took Danny a few seconds before he realized why. “Aww, sweetie, that is so adorable.”

“It’s not a date,” he insisted.

“Of course it’s not.” His mother’s tone said she didn’t believe him.

“Where’s Tucker?” Jazz asked.

“He’s not coming with us,” he muttered, onto whatever she was getting at.

“Oh, really?” She grinned wickedly. “And…this isn’t a date?”

“It’s not a date,” he said urgently.

“Jazmine, leave your brother alone,” Maddie scolded, although she too was sharing her daughter’s smile. “If he says it’s not a date, then it isn’t.”

“Thank you,” he said, allowing a small hint of sarcasm to slip through. “End of convers-”

Jack cut him off at the wrong time, off in his own world. “Say one day you and Sam were to get together…marriage and all…Just think, would your children--”

“Dad!” Danny groaned, having incredibly weird images running through his head. His eyes widened and he smacked his forehead with one hand.

“If Danny does end up having children, I’d say they’d be what…1/4 ghost?” Jazz laughed. “Strange visual. But…as long as he doesn’t name his Box Lunch, I don’t think he has a problem.”

His mother and father stared and Danny brought his hand away from his face, his eyes even wider. That was one piece of information he definitely didn’t want them to know. His redheaded sister finally saw the look and blushed, retreating to a cabinet across the room.

“Do I want to know?” Maddie asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No,” he answered fast. He hoped not too fast. Quickly recovering and thinking of something else to say, he cleared his throat. “Anyway, movies and probably walk around the mall.” Hang out in a parking garage, he thought with a hidden grin.

“Sounds fun. Did you charge your scooter?” Maddie asked as he took a drink of milk.

“Yep. It’s in the garage.” He noticed his sister’s hand hovered over a drawer. “Hey, Jazz, will you get me some aspirin or something?”

“Sure,” she replied.

“Don’t open that-” Maddie and Jack said instantly in unison.

Too late. As soon as she opened the door, something silver rushed out of it and she stumbled backwards with a small scream. Whatever it was flew through the air in sharp whooshing noises and Danny ducked instinctively as the familiar object aimed for his head.

Maddie caught it with a professional twirl of her hand and contained it within a powerful fist. The Fenton Boo-merang hummed in its attempt to get to him.

“I almost forgot about this. We were supposed to disable it yesterday,” she said, her gaze darting to her son. “Sorry Danny, I should have put it someplace else.”

“It’s fine,” he replied. He dared to sit up straighter, his heart thudding wildly in his chest. The dang boomerang wanted to behead him for some reason but he was fine…

“Well, at least we know why it’s attracted to you now,” Jack offered as Jazz set a bottle of medicine on the table for him. Danny tried not to look guilty, although he felt it.

“Yeah…”

Noon wouldn’t come soon enough.

---

Ooh, if you thought this chapter was yummy, just wait and see the next one. Where it’s Danny & Sam’s “date.” Hee hee hee. I love torturing Danny! Almost too much.

So, please R&R and we’ll get an update out for you as soon as we can!