Chapter Eleven – Stress

Windlifter called his friend the next morning. His friend, a shaman from a reservation in Louisiana, had some business to take care of in the tribe. But she promised to fly over to Piston Peak in a week.

In the meantime, Sky and Nick tried to adjust to their new "living situation," if you will. When in ghost form, they never tried to go through solid objects. When he was in control of Sky's body, Nick had to learn to walk properly and use his hands and fingers. Bad enough that he wasn't accustomed to feeling his weight on his skids, but now he had to feel it on his feet and learn how to walk. He proved to be rather clumsy in a human body. Sky didn't do much better when she was in ghost form. She felt like she was floating instead of actually walking. Not once did she try to fly, too afraid that she'd never come back down again.

Plus, it seemed Sky and Nick switched control at the most random of times. They switched when Sky was in the middle of drinking some milk, and Nick almost choked while simultaneously snorting milk out of his nose. They switched while Sky was doing pull-ups, and Nick slipped off the bar and fell on his back. They switched in the middle of Sky and Harley's conversation, even though Nick was miles away helping Blade with spot fire scouting.

Sky didn't want to worry Skipper or Dusty. So when she called to check in, she just told them everything was going well and she would be ready to work soon. Sparky decided to stay at the base, and told Skipper he was helping Sky heal. Sparky, too, agreed that nobody should know quite yet about the whole "switching places" thing.

As Sky showered one evening, she tried to imagine the hot water washing her worries away. Why can't I be a normal psyche human who only has to worry about her pyrokinesis going crazy and setting something on fire? I remember wishing I could be part of a ghost story as a kid. Talk about "be careful what you wish for."

Quite abruptly, Sky didn't feel the hot water on her head. She looked up to her hands, which she previously used to massage shampoo through her scalp. They were see-through. It quickly became apparent that she didn't stand under the water stream from the shower, but right next to it.

"Nick."

"Yeah?"

"Don't you dare look down."

"My eyes are up and closed. Trust me."

Sky looked over to her body and growled. "Dear Ford, this is embarrassing."

"I'm so sorry. I was passing the showers on my way to the kitchen, and I guess I just popped in." Nick groaned.

"I'd ask you to get out, but you're in my body." Sky couldn't even look towards Nick. "Just keep your eyes up and your hands off."

"I respect you far too much to even consider doing otherwise." Nick assured.

"And I appreciate that." Sky said. "But I wish it weren't happening. This is stupid. I can't even keep up with my personal hygiene, it would seem."

"If it helps, I'll learn how to brush your teeth." Nick offered.

"I just want this to be over with already!" Sky snapped. Suddenly, she and Nick switched yet again.

"I'm back!" Nick cheered.

"Get out!" Sky screeched, wrapping her arms around her chest.

"Sorry!" Nick scrambled out of the shower, right through all the walls, and rounded the corner in his mad dash away from Sky. He slammed into Blade and bounced backwards.

Blade groaned in pain. Nick may be a ghost, but it still hurt to run into him when he wasn't intangible. "Nick….."

"Lo siento!" Nick said, frantically speaking in Spanish.

"Nick!" Blade snapped. "No habla Español. Take a deep breath."

Nick settled on his skids and slumped. "Sky's really stressed out. That's all."

"I heard her scream. I'm aware." Blade gestured for Nick to follow him, and they journeyed out towards Blade's favorite lookout spot. "Nick, this is weird and hard to process for all of us. But we're going to figure it out, and then you and Sky will be all better."

"How do you keep your hopes up?" Nick asked. "What we're going through right now, and after what Katherine said—"

"I have to balance out being realistic and being hopeful. That's what I do as chief of this team." Blade said. "I'm not sure how to be realistic with something so….unreal. So I'm going the hopeful route. And there is no reason we can't figure this out, even if Katherine thinks otherwise."

"I think she's the one trying to be realistic." Nick mumbled.

"Good. Then I'll keep the hopes up." Blade glanced to his friend. "But, Nick, you and Sky need to be patient. Not just with getting answers, but with each other. I think you two have known each other long enough to tolerate each other's company. I'm not saying this whole situation is a good thing, but you have a chance to really understand her…in the same way I do."

Nick glanced to Blade, and then he sighed. He envied Blade, and even Dusty. They had bonds with Sky that Nick may never achieve. But Blade had a point. Despite the stress caused by this situation, this is the closest Nick may ever get to really understanding Sky.

As Nick watched everyone disappear to their hangers and turn in for the night, he noticed Sky sitting out on Blade's cliff instead of coming to bed. Nick floated out to her and settled down in the empty space next to the young woman.

"Hey." Sky greeted.

"Sup." Nick nodded back.

Sky sighed, rolling her shoulders and stretching her back. "I'm sorry I yelled before. I was just mad. Not at you, but just mad."

"No, no, I get it." Nick said. "This is weird."

As if on cue, the two of them switched again.

"I'm reaching the point where I don't care and I'm not surprised." Sky droned.

Nick sighed. "This stinks."

Sky stared at the stars. "Nick? Am I a freak?"

"No, of course not. What makes you think that?" Nick asked.

"Let's see, where do I start?" Sky ticked off each point on her fingers. "Orphan by abandonment, super-strong psyche human, rare powers, fraternizes with ghosts, and now I have a ghost stuck inside me which results in this weird switching thing. My life is not normal, Nick. My biological family is screwed up in more ways than one. I don't even want to bring up my uncle and APS. Why can't I be a normal psyche human? Why do I have to be this ultra-powerful, supernaturally tied psyche human?"

"Well, the supernatural stuff can't always be avoided. Especially not with your dad or Blade." Nick pointed out. They switched again, back to normal.

"But why is all this happening to me?" Sky asked. "I don't know. I just feel so…so…."

"Alone?" Nick asked.

Sky looked to the ghost. "Yeah. I doubt I'm the only psyche human with problems. Maybe I'm just dwelling on everything bad in my life because I'm stressed." She patted her pockets, and then pulled out the amulet Nick gifted her. She clipped the amulet around her neck. "Somehow, I feel calmer when I wear this. None of this is anyone's fault. I'm just worried and confused."

Nick nodded in understanding. "We all are. Though, I guess someone is at fault here. If I had just left before Harley healed you—"

"Whoa, whoa, slow it down there, soldier." Sky laughed. "You saved my life. I would not be here if it weren't for you." Nick smiled a little at that, and Sky looked back up to the stars. "Did you always want to be an actor?"

"Yeah. Been a dream of mine for a while. See my name in lights. Live in Hollywood." Nick chuckled. "What a life."

"How was working on a show about cops?" Sky asked. "I mean, was any of it accurate at the time?"

"As accurate as we could be for Hollywood." Nick said. "We visited real police stations and talked to actual cops and detectives. It was really cool."

Sky bobbed her head in agreement. She was silent for a moment. "Had you ever thought about going into actual law enforcement?"

"Yeah. Once or twice." Nick said. "I don't know. I'm not convinced I would be brave enough."

"I bet you could be." Sky said. "You could make a good firefighter, too."

"What makes you think that?" Nick scoffed.

"Because you spent years being a guardian, watching over people." Sky said. "Sounds like you're perfect for the job."

Nick stared at Sky for a moment, surprised, and then he smiled again. "Thanks, Cuervo."

"How do you feel, Sky?" Katherine asked, watching Sky move while she was in spirit form.

"Light like a feather." Sky answered.

"And I feel like I have cinderblocks attached to my feet." Nick said, shaking Sky's/his foot to make his point. The two of them switched again, back to normal.

"I wish we could do more to help." Harley said. "I heal injuries, sometimes mental and emotional therapy, but I don't know what there is to heal here."

"I don't suppose we could find an exorcist?" Nick joked.

"Do you have any idea how dangerous that is for a ghost?" Katherine scoffed. "Exorcists are discriminatory and harm ghosts in their work." Based on her tone, Katherine was clearly serious.

"I'm anxious for Windlifter's friend to get here." Sky said. "This switching constantly is messing with me mentally and physically."

"I'll say." Nick agreed. "Sometimes, even after we switch back, I get nauseous but I can't throw up."

"I'm sorry we can't be of more help, guys." Harley said.

"It's okay. You're doing what you can." Sky assured. "Besides, you guys have to leave tomorrow. You have to think about your job."

Harley and Katherine nodded slowly. Earlier that day, Finn sent them an urgent message requesting Harley and Katherine's return to Radiator Springs for a new mission. "It sounds like it'll be a short mission." Harley assured. "Simple undercover work. We'll check in with you guys when it's done."

"For now, just remember the things I taught you." Katherine advised. "And do let us know what Windlifter's friend says."

"You know, I think I'm getting the hang of this jogging thing." Nick said. While in control of Sky's body, Sky decided to have Nick try jogging and running.

"You're doing pretty well." Sky admitted. "Now the key is to—wait, what are you doing?"

"I wanna go faster!" Nick sped up, going from a jog to a run down the trail.

"Wait, Nick!" Sky ran/floated after him. "Slow down! Watch out for the rock!"

Too late. Nick's foot hit a rock, and he tripped. He tumbled and rolled down a hill and ended up stopping on the base. He lay on his back, groaning in pain. Sky approached him, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Ouch." Nick groaned.

"You know I'm going to be feeling that soreness when we switch back." Sky sighed.

"Sorry." Nick slowly rolled up and stood. He looked to his—or, rather, Sky's—hands. "This is the longest we've stayed switched."

"Just give it a minute." Sky said. Waiting for a moment, the two did switch back to normal again.

"The switches are staying longer." Nick said. "I don't like getting used to being in a human body, much less a girl's one."

"I certainly don't want to get used to being a ghost." Sky said.

Nick stared at the ground. "What if Katherine's right? What if we never get separated? What if we spend the rest of our lives like this?"

"Okay, that spiraled way faster than it should have." Sky ran her fingers through her hair. "Nick, listen to me. There is no reason for us to panic."

"How can you be so calm right now?" Nick demanded.

Sky rubbed her amulet with her thumb. "I don't know."

"Hey Sky! Nick!" Maru drove up hurriedly. "Windlifter's buddy is here!"

Neither Sky nor Nick have ever moved so fast. In fact, everyone on the base gathered around to hear what Windlifter's friend had to say. The shaman was a 1962 Fairlane colored midnight blue, and her eyes moved around and seemed to take in every detail of her surroundings.

"This is Luna." Windlifter introduced his friend to everyone. "Raven, Nick, step forward." The two aforementioned did so, and Windlifter spoke to Luna in what everyone assumed to be a Native American language. Luna listened closely, and then drove up closer to Nick and Sky. She stared at them for a long moment, her gaze analytical. Luna had a bag with her, from which she pulled out a glass jar with a green powder. Luna pulled out the powder puff from inside the jar, and she promptly slapped both Sky and Nick in their faces with said puffball. Even as a ghost, the powder dust settled on Nick's face and stained it. Luna honked her horn when Sky tried to wipe the powder away. She stared at Sky and Nick again with that analytical gaze. Then, something changed in her eyes. Almost like a mix of alarm and frustration.

Luna reversed and spoke to Windlifter in that same language no one else understood. Windlifter's neutral expression did not change. But his tone became fervent. Luna's tone turned firm, and the conversation apparently ended.

Windlifter turned to Sky and Nick. Sky forced a hopeful smile. "Good news?"

"No." Windlifter said, not wasting any time. "One body cannot host two spirits. That is why you and Nick switch control like you do."

"Will it ever stop?" Nick asked.

"Yes." Windlifter said. "But it will only stop after one of you has disappeared completely."

"Disappeared?" Sparky repeated. "Like, move on?"

Windlifter asked Luna for clarification. "No. The spirit will just evaporate into thin air. The extra spirit needs to find something to anchor them to the mortal world. That is the only way you two will return to normal."

"But I do have something to anchor me to this world." Nick said. "Blade is my connection to this world. That's why I stayed."

Windlifter conversed with Luna again. "Luna says we must be careful with an anchor that is living, or else you and Blade may end up with the same problem you and Sky have now. It would be better if your anchor were with an object or a place."

"But there isn't anything stronger keeping me in the mortal world." Nick protested. "I came back because of Blade, and Blade alone."

"That's all we have to work with." Sky said. "How do we separate for good?"

Luna said something, and Windlifter translated. "Pray to the spirits, and be prepared to prove your anchor is strong."

Luna and Windlifter went off into the forest to talk more about the problem at hand. Sky, Nick, and Blade also requested time to speak privately. Despite everyone's concerns and desire to help, the rest of the base gave them their space.

"Okay, I'll say it first." Nick said right as he and Sky switched. "That was a monumental waste of time."

"I have to agree." Sky said. "We're really supposed to just pray that we'll switch back to normal? That's going to work?"

"Windlifter is going to do everything he can." Blade assured. "I'm sure Luna has an idea on how to force you to split up."

Sky and Nick switched back to normal. "She better." Nick huffed, floating away.

"Nick." Blade sighed when the ghost ignored him and continued off.

"Let me talk to him." Sky suggested. Blade nodded in agreement. At least Sky and Nick could continue a conversation between each other without being interrupted by their switching. Sky ran after Nick, following him into the main hanger. Sky shut the door: a sign to the others that she needed privacy. She paused for a second to stare at her hand pressed against the hanger door. She felt so detached from her own body, like she needed to tie bricks to her feet to keep her down.

After a moment, Sky finally spoke. "Nick, you need to calm down—"

"I am calm." Nick sighed. "I'm just frustrated, that's all. I thought Windlifter's friend was going to do something—some sort of voodoo whatnot or whatever—and 'poof!' We'd be back to normal. Instead, we have to sit here and pray that everything will work out. News flash: prayer does not always work."

"I agree. But I'm not entirely sure that there's a science in this world that will help us." Sky said.

Nick stared off into space. "Those healing powers that your friend Harley has, what's the extent of those? Can she heal mental or emotional injuries?"

"I think so, to some extent." Sky said. "Why?"

"I was just thinking…" Nick muttered. "I mean, I've been a spirit longer, and it's your body, so maybe I'll be the one to disappear. And, when that happens—"

"If it happens, which it won't." Sky insisted.

"When it happens, I was thinking that maybe Harley could erase Blade's memories of me." Nick said.

Sky stared at him in surprise. "What? Why would you want that?"

"Because I'm the reason he dug himself into a hole of depression." Nick said.

"You died because of an accident. That's not your fault." Sky said. "And let's not forget that you're also the reason Blade became a firefighter. If Blade forgets that, it'll cause problems."

"Then make him forget that I died." Nick suggested. "You're a good liar, you can tell him something crazy about why I'm not around and he'll believe you."

"Nick, that's not going to work." Sky said. "Besides, I don't know if Harley can erase memories."

Nick groaned in frustration. "Look, all I know is that Blade may have clawed his way out of that hole, but the hole is still there. All it takes is one push—one of us dying or disappearing forever—to shove him back in; and, this time, he may not come back out."

"Blade has a lot of people who care about him, Nick." Sky reminded him. "Maru, Windlifter, pretty much everyone on this base. They're not going to let anything happen to him regardless of what happens to us. You've got to stop blaming yourself for this."

"But it is my fault this time!" Nick insisted. "I'm the one who got us into this mess."

"Well, I'm the one who got injured in that race." Sky said. "Maybe if I hadn't raced in the first place—"

"You have to race. That's what you do. It's what you and Dusty do." Nick said. "But you were holding on just fine after I helped you reenter your body. If I had left before Harley healed you, we wouldn't be in this situation!"

"So why did you stay for so long?" Sky demanded. "You're right. I was doing fine, and Harley was on her way. So then why did you stay with me?"

"Because I—" Nick froze. His jaw hung loose, and a strange sound came out of his mouth.

Sky raised an eyebrow. "You….what?"

Nick felt like his tongue was glued to the roof of his mouth. "Well….I just…I…care about you….Sky…..I care about you a lot…."

Sky noticed how Nick wouldn't look towards her, and he seemed to be flexing his jaw as though it were stiff. "You…care about me?" She repeated slowly.

"Yes." Nick said. "I…well, I…like you…."

"You like me?" Sky couldn't keep the teasing grin off her lips.

"I…..um…li-l-la-lo-llll….." Nick made a bunch of "L" sounds, but didn't form any legible words until he blurted out, "Gotta go!" and disappeared.

Sky giggled, temporarily forgetting her worries. She felt heat in her face, and she looked at her reflection in the polished surface of a nearby hubcap. Yep, her cheeks gave away her blush. Never felt that before. She mused. Her smile faded, and she glanced to the spot where Nick once stood. Never felt that before at all.

A/N: I hope this chapter was okay. The story is coming along, and I'm getting a lot more writing done. But I'm putting this story and Flame of Happiness on hold briefly so I can publish a holiday Trolls story. I promise I will get another chapter for this story up soon!