Tam felt the anxiety building in his stomach as he walked to the healing center. He didn't want to see the possible horrors of what he'd done. Linh noticed, and put her arm in his.

"Tam," she spoke calmly. "It's okay. Sophie said Keefe was doing surprisingly fine, he's still Keefe." Tam wished he could be relieved, but he wouldn't let that happen. Keefe would never forgive him.

"Hey," Marella added. "We don't blame you for what happened. It was pretty much inevitable. If you hadn't done this, none of us would have gotten back home."

Linh squeezed his arm as they arrived at the healing center. She and Marella led him into the room. Tam stopped as soon as he saw Keefe, who was sitting up, talking to Sophie. But his eyes were darting around, unfocused, and his body was ever-so-slightly shaking. Sophie stood up to greet the three of them.

"Is that Bangs Boy?" Keefe asked excitedly. Okay. Not what Tam was expecting, but he was definitely still Keefe. Tam didn't know how to feel about that.

"Yes it is," Linh answered, pushing Tam forward. Keefe's eyes found their three figures.

"Ooh, Fire and Water are here too!" he noticed, waving at them. Linh and Marella waved back. Sophie let go of Keefe's hand and walked to the other girls.

"Keefe," she told him. "Linh, Marella, and I are going to talk in the hallway."

"Do I have to talk to the Angst Machine myself?" Keefe whined as the girls walked out.

"Deal with it," Sophie called back as they disappeared into the hallway. Keefe sighed.

"You might as well come over here, Tammy Boy," he said, motioning Tam over. Tam reluctantly obliged, trying to think of something to say. Luckily, Keefe spoke first.

"First of all, I want you to know, as much as I don't like you, I still don't blame you for all of this," Tam bit his lip, still not entirely certain Keefe was telling the truth.

"I'm still sorry," he almost inaudibly whispered. Keefe's glazed eyes somehow found his own.

"Yeah, I am too. Also, I can see you more clearly than the others."

"How?" Keefe shrugged.

"Maybe it has to do with you being all shadowy," this gave Tam an idea.

"When I first manifested, everything felt like it was in slow motion, almost drawn out," he told Keefe.

"Well, that's literally the opposite of what's happening to me."

"Exactly. Maybe I could temporarily dampen your ability —whatever it is— with shadows. It'll be harmless," he added as Keefe's eyes narrowed.

"I'm cool with it," Ro added. Keefe pondered his decision.

"Okay, go for it," Keefe agreed. "Anything to get this stupid humming to go away." Tam nodded, moving closer to Keefe and putting his hands on Keefe's temples. As soon as they made contact, a shock went through both of them. They both jumped, but Tam persisted, slipping into Keefe's consciousness, not unlike the way a telepath would.

The bright mess was overwhelming, too many things happening at once. Nothing was staying still, and Tam could barely see through the bright light. He slowly began to dilute the light with shadows until everything slowed down to a more normal pace. He removed his hands from Keefe's head and opened his eyes.

"Okay, I'm done."

Keefe blinked his eyes open. Everything felt much calmer, the humming had moved to background noise. His eyes focused, not fully, but enough to actually see, even if he was staring directly into Tam's face.

"Did it work?" Tam asked quietly. Keefe nodded.

"Still a little fuzzy," he replied. "But it's bearable." He smirked, "I think we just defined 'Happy Shadow Thoughts.'" Tam's lips curled up, almost smiling. Keefe could now see the regret and relief in his silver-flecked blue eyes. "Thanks," he added.

"Yeah," Tam replied. There was an uncomfortable silence between them.

"This is awkward," Ro muttered. Luckily, Sophie, Linh, and Marella decided to come back into the room. Keefe sat up.

"Thank goodness," he sighed.

"Saved by the blondie," Ro happily announced, pumping her fist.

"I can see!" Keefe yelled enthusiastically. The girls were surprised.

"How?" they all asked in unison. Keefe pointed to Tam.

"Tammy Boy here did some cool Shade stuff and it worked." Sophie raised her eyebrows at Ro.

"It was fine with me," Ro said, shrugging. Sophie sighed.

"Well, if it works…" she allowed. "Just make sure that its not too much, Tam." Tam nodded.

"I think it would be a good idea if Tam stays here while Keefe recovers," Elwin said, stepping out of his office. "Just in case." Keefe and Tam both rolled their eyes and groaned in sync. Sophie, Linh, and Marella all tried not to laugh.

"I think it's settled then," Marella said smugly.

"It's perfect," Linh agreed, smiling coyly. "I can bring you two some 'Happy Shadow Thoughts' tunics." Tam scowled.

"Please do," Keefe said. "And make Bangs Boy's bright pink." Tam's eyes narrowed.

"If you weren't on that bed I would throw you off a cliff." he growled.

"I don't doubt it," everyone else in the room muttered in unison.