Jake knocked on the barn door, and Cassie immediately opened the door. As we entered, she gave us each a brief smile, but I felt like she was giving me (and Liliss) a wide berth. Not that I could completely blame her. Until an hour ago, she had seen me-my Yeerk-as the enemy. It was possible that she still did.

Looking around, it was easy to see why they chose this place for meetings. Tons of animals were available for acquiring, and I expected that there would be way less chance of being disturbed than meeting in someone's bedroom.

We'd been the last to arrive. I immediately noticed the red tailed hawk perched up high, plus the Andalite Jake had called "Ax" standing slightly apart from the others. Then, there was Rachel and Marco and Cassie, who, I noticed, now had a glass of water beside her. For Liliss, no doubt. Jake remained next to me, his shoulders almost touching mine. Potentially overprotective-I hoped-but sweet.

"This is Tom," Jake began, once everyone had given us awkward "hellos", "and his Yeerk, Liliss..."

He turned to me, and I realized that I either hadn't told or he'd forgotten the designation of my Yeerk.

(325,) Liliss finished inside my head, softly.

"325," I answered, with a smile. "Oh, um, just for the record, it's me, Tom. It will be me, unless Liliss says otherwise. When it's not totally necessary for her to be in control, she usually gives me free reign."

At least, that's how it was now. Probably best not to get into a long conversation about how it took me months to retain the ability to move and speak on my own for increasingly longer periods of time. Not yet, anyhow.

(How generous of her,) came Ax's voice.

I wasn't sure if he was being sarcastic or sincere, so I decided to keep any snarky comments to myself.

"Liliss has been my Yeerk for a little over eight months," I continued. "Right after Temrash was promoted, and then killed, thanks to you guys." I managed a grin. "Believe me, you did everyone a favor, there. I got a sense of how much he hurt Jake, and if you hadn't destroyed the pool, he'd be making our governor's life a living hell."

It seemed like everyone-well, the three humans, anyway-kind of relaxed upon hearing this.

Which made me wonder. Had they actually been worried that I would have objected to them killing my old Yeerk? After what he'd done to me and Jake? Sure, you could make the "sentient being" argument, but we were in a defensive war, and this particular Yeerk had tortured me and my brother.

His death couldn't have come too soon.

"Liliss," I added, trying to calm myself down, "is pretty much the opposite of my first Yeerk. Or most empire Yeerks."

"She was in the Peace Movement long before she infested Tom," Jake added, putting a hand on my shoulder. "Her first human host was murdered by the empire. That's how she was assigned to Tom."

The others looked, if not shaken, at least alarmed by this news.

(Why in the world would the empire murder a human host?) asked Tobias.

(Tom, may I? With gentle control?) Liliss asked.

I gave her a mental nod. (Sure, go ahead.)

"It's Liliss," my Yeerk began. "I am using something that you might not be aware of, called 'gentle control'. It allows me to access Tom's body functions without taking control away from him. While I am using his voice, he can intervene at any time."

"Like I'm doing now," I added, easily.

Not that they could check for themselves, but...

"Yes. To answer your question, Tobias, the empire murdered my previous host because she had a degenerative eye illness that had progressed to the point of it being dangerous to live alone. Or, rather, without another human," Liliss corrected herself. "As soon as we discovered this, we scheduled an experimental procedure intended to restore some of her vision, and eventually, all of it. It was not a success, which I found out later, in the pool. They sent me a message stating that she'd been disposed of."

I could feel my voice shake, even a couple of tears build up in my eyes. I was sure they were Liliss'. She was the one with the connection to Meg, after all.

(Yes,) Ax agreed, almost coldly. (A blind host, in a world containing billions, is of no great use to the empire, and a potential drain on resources. This course of action is consistent with the Yeerk empire.)

"I was a member of the Peace Movement before I infested Tom, but not before I infested Meg, my first human host," Liliss explained. "She was voluntary, and we were very close."

"Why'd you join the Peace Movement, if you already had a voluntary host?" Marco wondered, eyebrows raised.

"Because, long before Meg was murdered, I could see that what the empire was doing was not right. I had a Gedd as my first host, and having evolved with them, they generally do not resist infestation. After my Gedd, though, I had a Hork-Bajir who was resistant. To put it mildly. My superiors told me that not every host would be compliant, and I should not let it deter me from doing my duties to the empire." Liliss sighed. "And I believed them."

"It's hard not to, when you're born into that," Cassie pointed out. "Aftran told me that, to most Yeerks, humans are just meat."

Liliss nodded my head. "She is correct, but I was born into an earlier pool than your friend, Aftran. We were not indoctrinated with these beliefs when I was spawned. I take responsibility for having infested an involuntary host. I later determined to try my best to make up for this with my later actions."

No one pointed out that this didn't help the Hork-Bajir, but I had a feeling that they were thinking it.

(Probably,) Liliss told me, privately.

(I mean...it wasn't right, but you probably didn't know better at the time, right? And you didn't hurt him, did you?) I asked.

(Mostly, I ignored him. By empire standards, this was incredibly generous. Thank you, Tom, but I need to take some personal responsibility for my actions,) she answered, gently.

Liliss stopped talking, gauging the reactions. Cassie and Rachel were nodding. Marco looked intent, but not angry or disbelieving. Jake was smiling, at least a little. As for Ax and Tobias? Well, it was hard to read the reaction of a red-tailed hawk or an Andalite.

After Liliss finished scanning the room, she continued with her explanation. "Once I told Aftran that I had a human host with a younger brother, she began to ask me all sorts of questions. What did each of them look like. How long had my host been enslaved? Was he now voluntary-to me? Had his previous Yeerk attempted to persuade his family to join The Sharing? What was his name, and the name of his brother?" Liliss laughed. "It would have been easier had she asked those last questions, first. We quickly determined that the Jake (my last name) who was leading the Animorphs was the same one whose brother was...well, my host. Who I'd been helping for over five months." Another laugh, almost a giggle. It felt strange, coming from my voice. "We were thrilled, because it meant that the Peace Movement had a member with a connection to the Animorphs. It also meant that, once Jake trusted Tom and me, we could provide information and support."

Rachel, looking first at me and then at my kid brother, nodded. "Okay. Makes sense."

"Liliss," Cassie spoke up, slowly. "Would you be willing to leave Tom's head? So we can talk to him directly?"

"Of course," she answered, with a smile. "I simply require a liquid environment if you will be more than a few minutes with him."

Cassie handed me the glass of water. "This okay?"

"Yes, that's perfectly sufficient," Liliss assured Cassie.

(See you soon, I hope,) I told Liliss.

(Don't worry, honey. They're on our side,) Liliss promised me, as she began to disconnect from my brain.

Less than a minute later, she emerged from my ear, and I put my hand over her before she could fall. Then, I placed her in the glass of water.

"Ew," Marco observed, looking at her and making a face. "That looks like some stretched out chewing gum. Or maybe slime."

I snorted, in spite of myself, remembering those kids game shows. It wasn't the worst comparison, to be honest. mean, okay, they were basically comparing my Yeerk-my friend-to gum or slime, but it wasn't totally off.

"Dark slime, maybe," I allowed, with a laugh.

Thankfully, Liliss resumed her regular shape within seconds.

"Okay, that's marginally better," Marco agreed, watching her. "Dark greenish grey, but lacking the slime component."

(Can we please get back to the task at hand before we start talking about what Tom's Yeerk resembles?) Tobias grumbled. (Or we could be here all night.)

"All week," Rachel put in.

"All year," Cassie added, grinning.

I laughed. "Yeah, yeah. It's a universal fact that Yeerks are ugly. Fortunately, this one isn't ugly inside."

(She was telling the truth?) Ax asked, focusing his stalk eyes on me, along with his regular eyes.

He reminded me a little of Visser Three, even though he was a lot smaller, and didn't radiate evil.

I tried not to fixate on the similarities.

"I don't know everything about her former hosts," I admitted, with a shrug. "She's offered to show me memories, but I don't even want her to replay any of my good memories. Not yet, anyway. What I know is, she's been with me for over six months and not only hasn't hurt me, she's been helping me." I sort of gestured to my body. "I couldn't be in control without mental fatigue for more than five minutes, at the beginning. And, as soon as she entered my head, she'd seen how Temrash had treated me, and I could feel her horror." I glanced at Jake. "Like I said. It's been months. She's never hurt me. And, believe me, I didn't start off trusting her. It took a long, long time for that to happen."

"When I found out," Jake added, standing close to me, "it was through Tom, directly. She left his ear and I saw him put her in a glass of water."

"And put her back in my head later," I reminded him.

"Yeah," Jake agreed, with a smile. "No Controllers came in and forced Tom to do it."

I made a face. "Yeah, thank God for that."

There was a momentary silence, which my cousin broke.

"Is she in your head all the time?" Rachel wanted to know. "I mean, except for feeding."

"Yeah, until we told Jake," I explained. "But Jake and I want to spend some time together, without her in my head. She's cool with that."

(I don't think she could do any more, honestly,) Tobias admitted.

"Ax-man?" Midget turned back to the Andalite. "What do you think?"

(If it's a ruse, it is a long and drawn out one,) he answered, slowly. (Had she known about Prince Jake beforehand, I would be more likely to suspect her. However, Cassie has met a Yeerk who she convinced to free her human, and we have learned that there are others like her. Moreover, this Yeerk having been part of the Peace Movement long before Cassie met Aftran speaks well of her. I believe that, as much as a Yeerk can be trusted, this Liliss can be trusted. With appropriate verification of her sources,) Ax added. (If she claims one thing and the Chee are adamantly opposed to its veracity, we might have a problem.)

"Right. Well, since she only knew of us for a few days, it might be awhile before she can be accused of spreading misinformation," Marco objected. "Otherwise, sure. Proceed with caution, yadda yadda yadda. Right, oh fearless leader?"

Realizing he meant Midget, I turned to Jake for a second to give him a grin.

"Who, Midget?" I asked. "Jake, you're making them call you that?"

"No!" Jake practically huffed.

(He does not even permit me to call him Prince Jake,) Ax added.

Fortunately, I knew enough about Andalite ranks to get the context. That wouldn't stop be from ribbing my kid brother, just a little.

"You'd prefer Your Highness?" I teased.

Jake gave me a scowl that turned into a grin. "Don't give them any ideas."

He gave Marco a pointed look when he said this.

Marco raised his hands in surrender. I noticed that they extended about to the top of my head. Marco was several inches smaller than Jake, but with luck, he would get a growth spurt.

Partly to get back to the topic at hand, and partly because I didn't want to keep Liliss in the water any longer than necessary, I spoke up. "Before I put her back in my head, is there anything else you want to know?"

They all shook their heads, so I put Liliss to my ear. After a brief sting, my ear went numb, and...well, like Marco said, yadda yadda yadda.

(Looks like they think you're legit,) I told her, after she'd made the connection.

(I'm glad. And, I'm relieved that you didn't have to be infested by any of them, honey,) Liliss murmured. (I know you were worried about that.)

(Yeah. Not being infested by my kid brother or one of his friends is a definite perk,) I agreed. (I mean. Couldn't be worse than Temrash, but, yeah. Let's not unless we have to.)

(I agree wholeheartedly,) Liliss reassured me.

For the next half hour or so, having decided to trust us, the Animorphs took turns asking us questions. The tone was considerably lighter, now, but there was still the all too real sense that it was us against the Yeerk empire.

Saving the world.

Marco wanted to know about Visser One. At first, I wasn't sure why, until I remembered Jake mentioning that his mom was her host body. Guess she hadn't drowned after all.

"I don't know," Liliss admitted, gently. "I, personally, never met her. But, if there's any word, I promise to let you know."

Ax was curious about whether the Yeerks were trying to infest other life forms from Earth. They'd known about horses and sharks, although the latter had to be modified.

"I don't think they're likely to pursue any other animals. Your closest relative is the chimpanzee, and while those might be preferred to Gedds if humans didn't exist, it's unlikely to be an empire project." Liliss shrugged my shoulders. "However, you can never know what Visser Three is thinking."

"Or isn't," Jake added, with a grin.

Liliss laughed. "Exactly."

"Liliss," Cassie spoke up, "I know that Aftran isn't going to spill the beans about us being human kids, but she told me before we made our deal that some Yeerks had already suspected that the 'Andalite Bandits' were human. Do you know much about this?"

Here, Liliss nodded my head. "Numerous Yeerks who were witness to any of your attacks suspect as much. In part, because you only use Earth creatures, even Aximili. However, it's something that would get you reprimanded by Visser Three-on a good day. In any event, if there's a united story about you being humans, it's something along the lines of you being soldiers in the United States military. Perhaps, retired soldiers. The idea that human children could accomplish anything close to what you have done, well, it hasn't crossed their minds."

"Never underestimate the power of teenagers to do massive destruction," Marco laughed.

Liliss nodded, laughing as well. "It's not something that you need to worry about. Aftran is firmly Peace Movement, now, and wanting to recruit as many Yeerks to our side as she can. I wouldn't be surprised if we surpassed one hundred soon. We have to use caution, of course. I'm sure there are many more Yeerks who share our ideals than those who know someone in the Peace Movement."

"What about Yeerks with hosts who are willing to fight?" Rachel interjected. "How many of those do you have?"

I spoke up, knowing the answer. "It's Tom. Um. Not nearly as many. Maybe twenty, if that. And not even half have access to Dracon beams. It's sort of a long term game."

It was obvious that the others were disappointed by this answer, but lying wouldn't really accomplish anything. Besides, like Liliss had said, our membership was definitely growing. It wasn't a given that it was only a matter of time, but...

After awhile, things broke up. The others had homework and families, I guessed, and right now, there wasn't a lot to discuss. Today was about showing them that Liliss and I were allies, and I thought that had gone pretty well.

As we left, though, I couldn't deny that I was feeling kind of drained. I'd been glad that Liliss had been in control for most of the time, because it would have been almost seven hours using my body. I wasn't ready for that.

Yet.

Jake and I got into the car, and I checked the clock on the dashboard.

"Well, we're probably going to miss dinner. Want to do fast food?" I asked.

"Sure," Jake agreed, easily enough. "Any place in particular?"

"Wendy's," I answered, automatically. "Not only is the food way better, there are no Yeerk connections."

Jake laughed. "I'm in."

Liliss and I remembered that there was one not too far off, so I drove in that direction until we found it.

"Want to eat inside?" I suggested, and Jake nodded.

As soon as we left the car, Jake pulled me into a massive hug. I squeezed back, briefly tousling his hair.

"Not that I mind, Midget, but what was that for?" I asked, once we'd separated.

Jake looked a little sheepish. "Oh, I guess I'm just glad that, you know. You're back. That it's us, again. I mean, her, too, but, not like before." He grinned, then added, "Besides, it's been almost three hours since we last hugged."

"Think the universe might blow up if we had waited another hour?" I teased.

Jake rolled his eyes, and I wrapped an arm around Jake's shoulder. "You know, I can't believe what a hard year it's been for you."

"You too," Jake murmured, leaning against me. "And before, too."

"Yeah. But, somehow, I think things are getting better." I tousled Jake's hair again, and he gave me a grin.

"We still got a long way to go."

"I know," I told him, more seriously. "Remember, Midget. I'm here for you. I'm always here for you."

He nodded, and we headed inside the restaurant, my arm still around his shoulders.

Jake didn't protest.

I was the only one with much cash on me, so I paid.

"I need to get Mom or Dad to sign me up for a debit card," I noted, as we carried the piles of food to an empty booth and sat down.

"Why's that?" Jake asked, just before biting into his burger.

"Connects to your bank. They've been paying me since I became a full member, but he never spent much, and neither does she. Just gas for the car, mostly. It's been piling up. I'd like to be able to use some of it without having to go into a bank and do the whole withdrawal slip, you know?" I explained. "Besides, I'll be getting a credit card in a couple of years, and this will help me keep track of my money. Responsibility and all of that."

What I didn't add was that I could probably use some of my earnings to help the Animorphs. I knew Jake well enough that he'd refuse. Or have a hard time convincing. But they could probably use extra morphing outfits, maybe sandals or flip flops for missions, and other stuff that had slipped my mind at the moment. Not to mention that if we ever had to go completely into hiding-probably in the Horn-Bajir valley-we'd need a stash of food.

Morphing and eating doesn't totally work with your basic nutrition needs, and I could see that Jake could already stand to gain some weight.

"Want to stop for ice cream?" I suggested, after we had finished.

"Sounds good!" he agreed, grinning.

"Let's pick up some for Mom and Dad, too," I added.

"To thank them for my early release?" Jake guessed.

I tousled his hair. "Smart kid."

Since there was an ice cream place about five minutes from our house, and we'd taken family trips there, I went there. Sure, Wendy's had some ice cream flavors, but this place had more to choose from. Plus, extra toppings.

The store wasn't too crowded for a Sunday evening, but there was still a short line.

"What are you having?" I asked.

"Chocolate, with sprinkles," Jake answered, without hesitation. "What about you?"

"I'm in the mood for cookies and cream, also with sprinkles. Maybe chocolate chips, too," I added, contemplatively. "Mom will want strawberry, and Dad will want-"

"Mint chocolate chip," he finished, grinning. "Don't forget the chocolate shell for Dad."

"Thanks for the reminder." I grinned. "I figure we should bypass cones and order larges to go. You mind?"

Jake shook his head.

I placed our orders to a short girl with curly brown hair, specifying it was to go. Minutes later, we had paid and Jake was carrying the container in the car while I drove.

Since it only took five minutes to get home, all of the ice cream arrived without much damage. Mom and Dad were pleasantly surprised with their ice cream, and we sat down and devoured our desserts over the kitchen table.

It was probably the first really carefree time we had eaten together in over a year.

Jake had to know this. Did my parents? What would they think when they eventually learned the truth? I hoped that they would be proud. Especially of Jake.

(More than Jake,) Liliss reminded me, reading my thoughts. (Of you, too, honey.)

I sent her a mental eye roll. (Right. They'd be really proud of me for getting infested.)

(You fought your Yeerk. Let your brother know that something was wrong,) Liliss pointed out. (You even tried to fight Visser Three!)

(Still gave up after six months. I broke down. Gave up. Couldn't even make it to seven. Six is average, you know,) I argued.

(Six months of being unable to control your body. Except for a couple of hours at a time, when you were confined to a cage. Six months where no one had any idea what you were going through, because we're so good at impersonating our hosts,) Liliss sighed. (Besides, Tom, you're not broken anymore.)

(That's thanks to you,) I allowed, with a hint of a mental smile.

(And you. Not that I know personally, except from my time with you, but the Yeerks of the Peace Movement say that host rehabilitation takes the time, effort, and trust of both parties,) Liliss countered.

I thought about that for a minute. (Maybe.)

(Besides, you'll be helping Jake now. Providing him with any information we can give him, as well as plenty of big brother support,) Liliss added. (It's going to take a lot of time.)

(How awful. Helping him with homework, being an ear for him, giving him hugs,) I deadpanned. (I don't know why I signed up for this.)

She laughed. (I know you two were close before. You'll be inseparable by the end of the war.)

Liliss probably wouldn't be wrong about that. Already, I didn't want to let Jake out of my sight. Which was impossible, since, for starters, I was in high school and he was still in middle school.

(You know,) Liliss mused, a few minutes later, as we ate the last of the cone, (ice cream is among humanity's best inventions.)

I laughed inside my head. (Definitely among our best foods.)

(No wonder Ax went crazy when we was pretending to be Jake. With eating almost every piece of food in the house. They only eat grass in their natural bodies,) Liliss thought.

(Well, yeah, but according to Midget, he'd eaten food before. And he was trying to be Jake in a house with a known Controller.) I gave her a mental eye roll. (Chicken and pie are great, but we could have gotten really suspicious, you know?)

She smiled, nodding back at me.

My family lingered around the kitchen for a little while after we'd finished our ice cream. Mom was the last to finish, even though her cone was the same size as the rest of us. I'd noticed that the girls around my school also tended to eat slower, so who knows. Anyway, we talked about regular stuff-Mom's new book contract, Dad's interactions with patients, mostly-until Jake and I were trying not to yawn too much. Not because it was boring, but the last two days had been really long-emotionally and physically-and I thought that we were both ready to go to bed, even if it was kind of early.

I spoke up first. "Think I'm going to hit the sack. I'm exhausted, what from helping Midget cleaning the garage and all."

I gave him a light punch on the arm. Not enough to hurt him, more like a step above a nudge.

Jake rolled his eyes at me. "Like I didn't thank you ten times already for helping me."

"Yeah, yeah. I know," I allowed. "Night, Mom, Dad."

Jake yawned, too. "Think I'm going to go to bed, too."

Neither of our parents looked suspicious. Not that they had anything to be suspicious of. Just one kid who was living with an alien in his head, and the other one fighting them. Totally normal.

Mom gave us hugs, and Dad tousled Jake's hair. He would have tousled mine, too, but I was taller than Midget, and could back out of the way in time.

"Sweet dreams, kids," answered Dad.

We headed up the stairs. Once in the hallway, I asked, "Your room, or mine?"

Jake hesitated, and for a minute, I wondered if he was going to tell me that I didn't need to stay with him. That he was fine on his own. I wouldn't push him if he said that, of course, but I didn't want Jake to feel like he had to...well, to pretend to be tough with me, as though it proved something.

"Mine," he answered. "If you're sure?"

I put an arm around Jake's shoulder. "Yes, Midget, I'm sure. Now, you want the bathroom first, or should I take it?"

"I'll take it," Jake answered. "You always stink it up."

"For your information," I replied, mock offended, "I just need to brush my teeth. Besides, you're no rose. And, you have no aim."

"That's not true!" Jake protested, in mock outrage.

"Yeah? Ask Mom. She'll vouch for me."

Jake glared at me, then crossed his arms. "Yeah right."

I caught him in a headlock before he knew what had hit him, and had my hand on the top of his head, but not hurting him. "Say what?"

"I take it back!" he practically squealed.

I let him go.

"You know," Jake considered, "if Mom and Dad weren't downstairs, I could totally have morphed. You wouldn't be able to give a Siberian tiger a noogie."

"Probably not," I agreed. "Good thing they're home."

Jake rolled his eyes at me. "See you in a few minutes?"

I nodded, then put an arm around his shoulder again. "I'll knock on your door when I'm ready."

The look of relief on his face told me that he was glad I'd be there. That I was there.

Once my teeth were all brushed and I'd changed into my PJ equivalent, I gently knocked on Jake's door.