Disclaimer: The Meditor series, characters and some of the plot belong to Meg Cabot, not me.

I knew it. There was bound to be some mention of some branch of international smuggling ring captured with the help of two civilians. Seriously, it is not that often that it will ever happen in the history of tiny Carmel. The information gotten would stop a whole ring, totally. At least some mention right? I mean, I needed something good to wash off all the records I had for getting into unknown injuries caused by ghosts.

My mom's a television journalist. And she got the day off, because she was feeling really ill, not to mention, in the toilet. The whole place stinks. No, I seriously did not want to know what Mom and Andy had been doing in their room for the past few nights. Anyway, that was how she was even at home to interrogate me in the first place. She was dedicated to her job. So, she obviously needed to catch up on some of the news. Good for her job, I suppose.

So, when my mom switched on the TV, I just plonked down on the couch and started watching the evening news right before dinner. And guess what? Jesse and I got labelled as courageous civilians, and the police were praising so much that I am pretty sure that Jesse was blushing like a tomato at home, watching the news as well. I was kind of embarrassed as it was. Thank goodness there were no reporters to interview me. I hated that kind of stuff, especially when I am actually lying.

But just when I was about to tune off mentally, there was this piece of news that totally shocked me. The police vehicle was transferring the dangerous and important criminals to the country jail. And an accident occurred and all of the criminals died. I was rejoicing that I did not need to testify against those people when the phone rang.

Since the phone was nearest to me, I picked up the receiver and went "Hello?"

"Susannah?" I would so know that voice anywhere. And who else would call me by my full name without risk of getting a broken bone? Fine, maybe Father Dom. Whatever. I was interrupted in Thought Land when Jesse cut in with a "Have you seen the news?"

"Duh, Jesse," I replied in that kind of I-told-you-so voice.

"Querida, do you know what this means?" What? Apparently that just meant that we are going to be celebrities. But obviously, judging by the worry in Jesse's voice, it could not be it. Hearing my silence, Jesse told me one very simple sentence.

"They are dead." God, how cryptic could he get? I tell you, ghost behaviour really didn't change. It sticks. My mind was still a little slow from the ego trip just now. And I really didn't get what it meant.

At least till Jesse told me to go up to my room, as soon as possible. What would that do? I did not know, but I knew it definitely was something important. So I told my mom that I will be going to my room, at least until Andy calls for dinner. Dinner is very important, at least to the Ackermans. I got the hang of that long time ago.

I climbed up the steps to my bedroom. And I got a really big shock at what I saw the moment I opened my door. Make that who.

"Jesse de Silva, what on earth are you doing in my room?" I fiercely whispered. Seriously, I did not want to get my mom all worked up because Jesse appeared out of nowhere apparently. Then it hit me that he might have climbed the window. God, that was dangerous.

Then I heard this voice in my brain. No, Susannah, I do not like to risk breaking my bones when I could come here really easily. Was Jesse reading my mind or what? Susannah, I am not reading your mind. Your thoughts are really open. I kind of accepted it, but I totally freaked out when it hit me. How on earth can Jesse even see my thoughts? Not to mention appear out of nowhere into my room? What about being in my mind? All kinds of possibilities went through my head. Oh my god. Don't tell me that Jesse was possessed by a demon?!

No querida, I am not being possessed by a demon. I am myself.

Oh yeah, and how on earth do you like read my thoughts?

Isn't it obvious?

No.

Slater.

You… are a shifter?!

Finally got that right. I saw a smile creeping onto his face.

And you didn't tell me?!

Do you think you would have believed that if Slater did not come in?

Um, yeah. How else did I believe Paul?

Because he showed his abilities to you, Susannah.

And you couldn't?

Ghosts lose their shifter abilities.

Ok, fine. What are you doing here in the first place?

Oh right. His tone went from amused to serious in such a short span that I was totally taken aback.

What's with the serious tone, anyway?

You do realize that the criminals are dead right?

Duh, it was on the news!

And what if they can't move on?

Oh my god!

Querida, they can't do anything. But we need to take precaution, OK?

But they might be able to move on?

And leave their precious cargo hidden when the rest of the gang can make money?

Yeah, criminals are selfish people. They would probably just get the loot and give it to their family.

Isn't that considered being here, Susannah?

I am so amused by how naïve I am sometimes. Um, OK

Please be careful, querida.

I have been fighting ghosts for sixteen years, Jesse. I know how to take care. I'm not a baby, you know. And how do you shift without even losing brain cells?

Querida, he thought as a smile played on his lips That's for me to know and you to find out.

"SUZE!!! Dinner!" Dopey shouted from downstairs. Horrible timing. I was going to wring more stuff out of Jesse.

Susannah, I know what you are thinking.

Fine. K, better go now. Bye! Love you. It sounded quite like a phone conversation to me.

Love you too.

And then he shifted back. At least I am pretty sure he shifted back home. Well, at least I got to know he was a shifter. But how? I decided to question him later. But meanwhile, I am starving for dinner, after that whole thing. Who doesn't want a nice dinner of spaghetti with meat? Yummy.

Dinner was pretty quick. I kept spacing out during dinner, thinking about Jesse and his shifter abilities. I finished my food really fast and excused myself. I needed some alone time. To think about everything today. I opened my door, and guess who I should see?

Paul Slater. With Jesse. Chatting like they were good old friends. Oh. My. God.

That was quite a nice surprise but seriously… I would never have imagined that. And they seemed to be talking about shifting. Jesse looked up and saw me. "Hi Susannah," he flashed a broad grin. Paul heard and went "Hey Susie!", smirking. Habits never did change, did they?

Jesse. Can you at least come up like a normal person?

Sorry Susannah. But this is really urgent.

Ok… Then what is Paul doing here? And shifting loses brain cells!

No, it doesn't. At least not normal shifting between places, I think. Paul interrupted.

Wow, great. Now my thoughts are being read by two people. Can you two come in by the door? Seriously. I need my brain power for homework.

Susannah, it doesn't affect your brain power. But it might be better if we come in through your door. And he shifted, along with Paul. I guess he heard. I don't think I will ever get to learn mind blocks through Paul. I had considered that possibility. Paul and Jesse loved reading my thoughts apparently. I let out a sigh. David might help me though. He was after all an expert in research.

My thoughts were interrupted by a doorbell. Ok, that would be them. I wonder where they shifted to. Most likely somewhere discreet. Wouldn't do good to let people see them appearing out of nowhere. Andy let Paul and Jesse into the house. "Ask them to come in!" I shouted from my room. Andy trusted Jesse totally. Who wouldn't? I mean, Jesse is so gentlemanly. Since he did come from the 1850s. Paul was kind of a different matter. But Andy just trusts Jesse to protect me from Paul. Though seriously, Paul was harmless enough, he did change after all.

Both of them came in, wearing really odd similar smirks on their face. Creepy. I concentrated on getting a wall on my thoughts. At least that sounded logical enough. Walls block things right? Unless they have a bulldozer and totally ram down my wall. I wouldn't be too surprised on that.

"Suze, mind walls definitely do not work against Jesse. Did he tell you that he was the strongest shifter in his generation? He had a lot of power, and still has now," Paul was saying. What? No wonder I felt my wall crumbling so much. And how on earth does Paul know that?

Suze, I do my research. Grandpa's research does help, you know.

Fine! Jesse, say something. This is unfair!

Why, Susannah. You were perfectly able to take care of yourself, if I heard correctly.

Not against evil spawn of Satan!

Susie, I thought you got over that already.

That was a joke! God, how dense are you?

Susannah.

Fine Jesse. Seriously, do guys have any sense of humour?

"Ok, why did you two come in the first place?" I said aloud. I mean, being quiet in the room was plain weird. At least to the non-shifters…

"Susannah, we came to discuss about the present situation."

"But I thought we were done discussing that." The private conversation with Jesse probably would have settled the problem. They didn't appear yet right? "Suze, any past conversation with Jesse is the past. It's the present now," Paul interrupted with such a serious tone that I was really shocked. That was more serious than any other things he ever said. I mean, he was cryptic enough. As for conversation with Jesse, he probably read my thoughts. Again.

Jesse ran his fingers through his hair, a definite sign that he was frustrated. "Susannah, Paul said that there was a ghost who went to him," he said. I was really dense and went "So?" Judging from Jesse's grim look, I totally should have guessed. Then Paul told me the ghost was part of the ring, looking for revenge. No way! That was admittedly horrible.

I mean, I did not want a ghost getting me for revenge for something not my fault. Fine, maybe a little. But I wasn't even the driver of that vehicle which crashed. No fair! And to make matters worse, I could see that ghost. And touch him. And know his abilities. And from experience, rage is a key factor in power. That, and age. I only wished there wasn't one whole big gang.

The whole mood just changed and we spent the time coming up with plans. Something like Paul pretending to help the murderous ghost. I mean, an ex-evil spawn of Satan should be able to do a little simple acting right? He acted well enough when I got to know him. Jesse can't exactly fulfil that role. I mean, the guys had seen Jesse and he was obviously my partner, from the way we were so kissing in front of the crooks. So, he was out. Fine, I came up with that idea. But seriously, there was no other plan right. Unless I lured him into a trap and exorcise him, maybe with the help of Father Dom. But the whole point is criminals so do not fall into traps. They are clever enough, I always thought.

They agreed to my plan after a whole lot of convincing. My safety was important, according to Jesse and echoed by Paul. But I really had to compromise. Like agreeing to being guarded 24 hour. Even when I was in my room. You see how horrible that is, infringement of privacy, even if I probably had none to begin with. And I had to tell my mom every single thing about me being a shifter, even the part about ghost Jesse and evil Paul in the past. I didn't even get why they would even want to reveal their true story. My mom and Andy would be hyperventilating at Jesse being like 150 years older than me. And not to mention resulting in my family having a somewhat bad impression on Paul. Though it's not really true now, but whatever… They really care about me, don't they?

"Back to earth, Suze! Go down, now," my thoughts were interrupted by Paul. Fine! I yelled in my mind, knowing that Paul would hear it. Yelling out loud in my room wasn't really good, especially when I was supposed to be working on a project with Paul and Jesse helping. I wasn't even planning to tell my mom about my mediator abilities. I was forced into it. Maybe not really but I had to do that to get my plan working. I took in a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. Letting Andy and my three stepbrothers know about my ability was really hard. As if it wouldn't be.

"Susie!" my mom called from downstairs. Without even looking, I knew Father Dom was here. We needed his help to convince everybody not to throw me into the loony bin. I mean, he's a school principal, and a priest. Credibility was important. I learnt that from history. Although it had been Jesse's idea to get Father Dom. And he shifted there to tell the good father. Father Dom must have been bursting with happiness that I finally wanted to tell my family about it. Lying was a sin for him after all. Not that I thought it was lying, just hiding the truth, there was a difference.

Jesse took my hand and squeezed it gently, obviously sensing my panic. Flashing a smile at him, I took in a deep breath and opened the door. It was really funny, the way we made it seem like some kind of procession. Jesse and Paul went first, in front of me. They walked so formally too. It almost made me burst out with laughter. But I remembered my purpose and descended the staircase to the living room, where Father Dom was sitting on the couch. It reminded me of the Winter Formal, just that this was a totally different purpose altogether.

The moment I got to the living room, Paul was totally shouting for everybody in the house to gather to the living room. David and Jake came out immediately. Why would they even obey him, I didn't know. But Dopey refused to come out and Paul went to his room and practically dragged him downstairs, saying this was important. Seeing Dopey did not really like Paul since Paul stole Kelly Prescott from him (not that Kelly was even going out with Dopey in the first place), I wasn't really surprised. Father Dom did not really approve but he said nothing. Jake, Dopey are David were obviously intimidated by the presence of the good father in the living room and put on their best behaviour.

The moment everyone was gathered, Jesse, who was standing beside me, went all formal and said, "Everybody, Susannah has an important thing to say to all of you." I didn't agree with that. But it had to be better than me saying that. At least there was more time to prepare. Everybody was looking puzzled, except for Jesse, Father Dom and Paul, who obviously knew what I was going to say.

Susannah, you can do it. Jesse sent me a thought. And then he kind of gave me a mind hug. I didn't know how he had done that but it was a nice gesture. I sensed Paul was getting a bit impatient with me.

I closed my eyes for a moment and breathed in deeply. "Everybody, there's something that I have kept from you for a long time." I paused. For a little dramatic effect. It was nice to keep suspense, especially where my welfare was concerned. Suze! It's not suspense time. Paul practically screamed in my head. I didn't know that he would be so enthusiastic about people knowing his past identity, Spawn of Satan. Susannah. Jesse interrupted, though he was more caring about it. Least he understood. Here goes... I thought to no one in particular, knowing that they could hear.

"I'm a shifter."

A/N: Please review. Thanks! (: