We interrupt you're regularly scheduled reading time for this important message from the author.

Chain I thought Duo would make a good Suze, they have similar personalities. Heero as Jesse was a bit of a stretch for me. I wasn't sure whether to put him or Wufei in the role, but Wufei fit another role better (not telling who), so Heero got it by default. Of course, Trowa and Quatre are Adam and CeeCee (respectively). As for Heero being Japanese, I cringe at the general history of the Ozarks that I'm warping to fit my plot. Most of the folks in the Ozark foothills are European, especially Scottish, Irish, Welsh and English. I call it artistic liscense.

e Thank you for the birthday wishes. Glad you like the atmosphere. While this is a "supernatural" fic, it is not meant to be particularly suspenseful or scary, but rather funny. As for Quatre being an empath? So not telling. Heero is definitely not the only spook around, nor the scariest. Duo's name being something other than just "Duo" (because who is actually ever named Duo?) came from the original BETA for this story. Unfortunately I no longer have her name or contact info as this was originally written and BETAed about three years ago. "Duilio" came from going to behindthename(dot)com and searching "Duo" so it pulled up similar names.

cookie monster 16 *munches cookies* Don't worry, no rape. If I were going to do that, the rating would be higher.

Rebecca Thatcher *lol* Glad you figured out how to review! I'm also glad you like the skating rink. I ripped the description straight from the one I spent my entire childhood and teenage years at, with a few improvements. Mine only played country (though I can line dance in roller skates thanks to that, not something many people can say). Don't be concerned about continuing. I've got all sorts of plans and this is going to end up as a very long story.

This has been an important message from the author. Now back to your regularly scheduled reading time.

The Mediator

Chapter Three

"Duo, wake up sweetie, I'm taking you to sign up for school today."

I managed an inarticulate moan to let Mom know I was awake. My God, my legs hurt! I glanced at my clock and sighed with relief, it was nine o'clock. I had plenty of time to get ready before our eleven o'clock appointment with the principal of Oak Grove High School. I could use that time constructively laying in my tub until hot water soothed the aches out of my muscles.

I stumbled into the bathroom and filled the tub with steaming hot water. The temperature was so high I could barely stand it, but it did the job. When I got out of the tub my legs didn't feel quite so bad. At least I wasn't wincing with every step. I made sure to select an outfit that didn't scream "not from around here" and "out-of-towner" even though that meant forgoing my FCK H8 shirt. I neatly braided my hair, taking extra care.

I figured me and the principal of Oak Grove were going to know each other fairly well by this time next year. Being a Mediator guarantees some run-ins with authority figures. I thought it would be best to make a good impression, since in a few weeks he'd probably be suspending me. I'm not a bad kid, but I do tend to get into fightswith people no one else can see.

Finished with my preparations, I skipped down the stairs, jumping them two at a time. Mom greeted me at the bottom of the stairs, giving me an appraising look. I congratulated myself when she found nothing wrong with my attire, though her hands itched to chop my braid. She began reciting what sounded like a carefully thought out speech on making good first impressions and starting fresh.

I'd love to be your normal teenage boy, Mom, but the ghosts won't let me.

The high school was situated high on a hill overlooking town. The building was white stucco with bright red trim with big windows. It looked a bit like a prison someone tried to cheer up with a bucket of paint. The inside was a bit more inviting than the outside. Like my house, the school was old. It was floored in really old wood floors that had worn paths where students walked. All the walls were white, with giant red lightning bolts painted on them. Our mascot, I was later to learn, is the Zizzer, represented by a bolt of lightning. What the hell a Zizzer is, I have no idea, but whatever. The lockers were painted the same bright red as the lightning bolts.

Principal Chilton ended up being an elderly man with a shock of white hair standing on end. He looked a bit like Albert Einstein without the mustache. He wore very casual clothes, khakis and a polo shirt. This struck me as odd, because my old principal always wore suits, even during the hottest days of the year.

While Mom and Principal Chilton chatted I focused on the one thing out of place in all of this.

She stood behind and slightly to the left of Principal Chilton's chair. She looked older than me, Noin's age, maybe, or older. Her clothes were modern, just white caprice and a maroon polo shirt. She wore glasses and had her hair done up in two buns on either side of her head, just behind her ears. Someone should have told her the Princess Leia look went out in the eighties. I estimated her death had been recent, either in the spring or earlier this summer. Her aura pulsed slightly, a sure sign this ghost was pissed.

"Why don't you fill out these forms while Duilio and I get to know each other?" Principal Chilton handed Mom a huge stack of forms. He smiled at me, as if he knew that I wasn't at all interested in getting to know anybody. Mom just took the papers and went to sit in the lobby.

"Well, Duilio, how do you like Oak Grove?"

I tore my eyes away from Princess Leia. "It's not too bad."

"I see. Beth? Would you please stop glaring?"

I gaped at him. Seriously, my mouth hung open and my eyes bugged out. He had just addressed the ghost! My mind whirled. Could he see her too? He must, or he wouldn't know she was there. What did this mean? I wasn't the only mediator?

"Whatever, Mr. Chilton. That loser can't see me. He may be a long-haired freak but he isn't that freaky."

I regained my ability to speak after that string of insults. "I am not a loser, Princess Leia, and you're the freaky one here, since you're dead."

Now it was her turn to stare before stalking out, through the wall, in a huff. Principal Chilton just smiled. "I thought as much, Duilio-"

"No one but my mom calls me that. I go by Duo."

"Very well, Duo-"

"And why are you so calm? You can see her, can't you?"

"Yes, I can see-"

"Do you see lots of ghosts?"

"I see them all the time-"

"Really?"

"Yes, really. Duo, I am thrilled that you've come here. I knew when I saw your record that you must be one of us-"

"Us? Are there more?"

Mr. Chilton frowned. "There must be. Now, your mother should be done with those forms soon. I just wanted a chance to talk with you about our gift in private. Here's my number at home if you'd like to talk more before school starts up again. Feel free to call. Ah, yes, and leave Beth to me. I've known her family for years."

"Sure, whatever, Mr. C."

"Thank you. Ah! Mrs. Akers, Duo and I were just discussing some of our extracurricular activities"

I listened to Mom and Mr. Chilton chat about sports and clubs that the school had. There were quite a few for a small school, but that wasn't what I was thinking about. Another mediator. I had never dreamed of finding another person with the same ability. Okay, well, I'd dreamed of it, but I'd also dreamed of meeting David Bowie. Granted it didn't change much, unless Mr. Chilton knew some sort of super-mediation technique. All it really meant was that I wasn't one-of-a-kind like I had thought.

"Here is your schedule Duo, the highlighted classes can be changed, if you'd like, when school starts. Do you have any questions?"

I took the proffered paper from Mr. Chilton's hand. Any questions? I had a million, but none could be asked in front of my mother. Instead, I said I didn't have any questions. Mom shook hands with Mr. Chilton and we left the school. My mind was still spinning when I finally thought to look at my schedule halfway back to the house.

Oak Grove High worked by the seven-hour schedule with a break for lunch. My first class was English, followed by Biology, American History and Art. My lunch break hit around twelve-thirty. My afternoon classes were Algebra, P.E. and Health. Only Art and P.E. were highlighted as being able to change. I wondered what I could change them to, and then figured that it would probably be best not to bother.

I glanced out the window just as we passed a big cemetery. That was probably a bad omen.