My eyes watered. I felt like I had been staring into a fire, but I was other wise ok. I took several deep breaths, knowing I had to be as calm as possible.

"Mercy," Steve said very slowly. "What was that?"

I tried to sound oblivious. "What was what?" Apparently, my acting skills had left me for the time being.

"Don't be like that, I saw those-those, lights."

"Oh, it's a magic trick. You know how I love to do those things."

"Yeah right, Mercy. In the middle of Mama Mia Lake you are going to put on a show. I am not stupid; I know what I saw."

I sighed in surrender and called ahead to Cassie, (Call everyone to the barn.)

As we approached the barn I wracked my brain trying to think of any excuse that would satisfy Steve. So far, nothing.

"Wait here," I told him.

I went into the barn and received worried looks from everyone. I'd already thought my story to Cassie so that I wouldn't have to explain when I got there. Ax spoke, or rather thought, first. (I think I might know what is the matter with Mercy and Cassie.)

"Wait, Cassie has it too?" Jake asked.

"You didn't tell him?" Ax and I said/thought simultaneously.

"Um, no." Then to Jake she said, "I didn't want you to worry until Ax had figured it out." I noticed Marco roll his eyes.

(Puh-leez. "Oh my, you have it too?" "Oh, I didn't want you to worry about me.") He thought to me, mimicking them in a mocking tone. He never had been one for sappiness. I concealed a smile behind my hand.

(I think I know what you have from your symptoms.) Ax continued. This aroused a number of sighs of relief. (However, it's not so simple. First, Cassie, Mercy, has Tobias made contact with you today?) That sounded like an accusation but, remembering the time in the woods when I had felt the chill, I nodded along with Cassie.

(Have you tried to morph since then?) Both of us shook our heads. (It is imperative that you do NOT, under any circumstances, try to morph) I was very confused but agreed.

"Hey Cassie-" Steve burst into the room. "Steve!" I yelled. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Ax in his alien form, a blue Andalite.