Author's Notes - Kinda half and half on if I like this part or not.

Summary – Zedd moves in, despite Tommy's confusion.

-o-

Play Your Cards Right

Tommy

-o-

(Power Chamber)

Standing in their, what did they call it, Power Chamber, and still completely lost as to how I'm supposed to be some sort of superhero with no actual super powers or protection aside a spandex costume I give the girl in the yellow dress a lost look at this latest development. "So this guy who's coming to help me…"

Arms crossed and clearly unhappy about said guy that is being retrieved Tanya I think it is, gives me his name once more. "Zedd."

"Right Zedd. He's coming to stay with me at my uncle's apartment to protect me?"

"That's what Jason said when he contacted us." Getting an encouraging nod from the blonde female, Kat, I continue still uncertain about all this.

"Because I live with my uncle, but he's out of town right now, but that doesn't matter as even if he wasn't he couldn't protect me from the Machine Empire which is out to kill me for constantly fouling up their plans to destroy humanity. But this guy Zedd, he can."

"Right so far." Good to know. Adam was it?

Rubbing my temples soothingly at it all, I really wonder if I should even bother going on or just give it up and do as they say. Quite frankly if this gets anymore confusing I think I'll just go find these machines they keep talking about and hand myself over. "Right, so this guy Zedd, he's like my…" Mentor? Bodyguard?

"Boyfriend."

Head coming up at the new voice thrown my way, I look to see that Jason has returned with what can only be described as a leather wearing pirate of some sort. A leather wearing pirate that has just claimed to be my boyfriend?

"I knew it!" Okay settle down there Rocky. Knew what exactly?

"Oh geez." Head in hand Jason is apparently not as thrilled. Seriously though he said boyfriend right? I'm not hearing things?

Placing a hand on the blue boy's shoulder, Tanya gives a stern head shake. "So not the time Rocky."

Sighing and ignoring the commotion from his friends, Jason seems to- with great difficulty I might add -gain control of himself once more, before introducing me to my supposed boyfriend. Seriously boyfriend? "Tommy this is Zedd."

"My boyfriend?"

Smile revealing a set of white and possibly fanged teeth Zedd at least appears pleased by it all. "That's right." How old is he? And really what is with the pirate type getup?

Taking hold of Jason's arm and leading him slightly away from the apparently waiting group, I cast a doubtful look back at the newest arrival. "You're sure about this? I mean that this guy is going to keep me safe and that he's you know my…boyfriend?" Because really pretty sure I don't feel gay.

Sighing once more, as it's seeming to become a habit with him, Jason shakes his head. "Quite honestly I'm not sure about any of this, but I can tell you that he cares for you a lot. And he won't let anything happen to you while we work to fix this and get your memories back. Trust me, I wouldn't leave you with him if I wasn't positive that he would take good care of you and do what you need and ask of him." Well he sounds pretty sure, but…

Looking up at the floating head who has so far thus been simply observing this latest development, the pirate gives a slight jerk of his head in acknowledgement. "Zordon."

"ZEDD."

Well then.

"He's really my boyfriend? Like you're sure that you're not just mistaken and I'm really dating the blonde girl?" Because let's face it the blonde girl is so-

"My girlfriend." Crap. Snickering at my fallen expression, he continues much more calmly then I would if someone was checking out my girlfriend. "Look it's complicated. Just trust that he'll protect you and get you anything you need. And if he doesn't or anything goes wrong you can easily contact me and the others with this device on your wrist. Okay?"

"I guess." Now a bit concerned about what could possibly go wrong with this older, oddly dressed, too slick man I finger the silver communication device uneasily.

"Tommy please don't worry. I promise we'll have this all set right in no time, okay? And until then Zedd will do what you ask of him and keep his hands to himself." Voice raised so as to give the now waiting impatiently man a clear warning, it's becoming very obvious that despite the claims of his relationship with me he's not well liked by my friends.

Smirk now marring his face, Zedd meets the Gold Ranger's gaze head on. "Just my hands?"

Seething at this, Jason's response is clipped and filled with malice. "I wish to hurt you, badly."

"Pity you can't." I wouldn't be too sure of that if I was you. Smirk still in place he strides quickly but casually to us, taking my arm in a surprisingly strong grip. "Come on pet, time to say goodbye to your little playmates and go home." Okay definitely having second thoughts here. Actually make that third and forth as well.

"Um Jason?" Little help? Little advice? Little protection from my supposed protector?

Jason frowning at my panicked tone, it looks as if I'm not the only one with doubts. "If you hurt him in any way Zedd-"

"Yeah, yeah you'll hunt me down, break my neck, hand me to the Council, whatever. Get a new record." Rolling his eyes and once more leading me for the door, Zedd suddenly pauses giving my friend a parting look. "Same goes for you you know. I may give the impression that my companions don't matter, but they do. If anything happens to Finster I will hold you all responsible for it." Finster? What kind of name is Finster?

Arms crossed over his chest and looking a bit defensive, Jason shakes his head. "So long as he stays in the lab with Billy where we dropped him off he'll be fine."

"See that he is. You know I won't harm Thomas, but don't think that lets you or your other little friends off the hook." Really, you're certain I should be going with him now? Turning back to Zordon he gives another, parting jerk of his head. "Zordon."

"ZEDD."

Honestly is no one else concerned I'm being taken away by this temperamental pirate? Who knows what he's got planned. Who knows what I'm being dragged into. Who knows if I'll even survive the night.

-oooooo-

(Oliver Residence, 2 hours later….)

"Hit me."

Laying the next card down, a three of hearts, I wait for his next move.

"Hit me."

Two of spades.

"Hit me."

"You have eighteen." I'll admit I'm not that familiar with card games, but considering twenty one is the best he can get before hitting bust, shouldn't he stay?

Tapping the cards impatiently, he's apparently having none of my logic. "Hit me." Sigh.

Five of hearts. "Twenty three. Bust."

"Crap." Scowling and shoving the cards back to me, he really is a sour loser. And honestly a rather bad card player it seems.

Sighing and re-shuffling the deck I sink back into the couch and hold off on re-dealing onto the coffee table. "So, this is what we do when we're together, play cards?" This is what I was so worried about? This is what they were so worried about? If anything the worst he's done so far is try and cheat.

"Usually. Though I'm normally much better at it." Somehow I doubt that. Leaning back on the floor a somewhat knowing smile beginning to form on his lips he suddenly seems to forget about his hour long losing streak as a new idea starts to take shape. "Why, were you expecting something else?"

"Well… I mean, I just thought maybe… no, no nothing." Maybe what exactly? Maybe you would try to hold my hand? Maybe try to kiss me? Maybe at least sit on the same piece of furniture I am. Not that I think I'd like any of that stuff mind you, but he is the one that was going on about how we're a couple after all. I mean why even bother telling me that if he's not interested in acting like one.

About to tell him to forget it and re-deal, he beats me to the punch with something I honestly wouldn't have even begun to consider. "You want to have sex?"

"What?!" Cards falling from my hands, I think he's lost his mind. "No!"

Smile faltering just a bit, it seems I have perhaps over stressed my shock. "A simple 'not right now' would have sufficed Thomas." Beginning to pick up the cards with what would appear to be boredom, he instantly makes me feel a small pang of guilt. I honestly didn't mean to sound so horrified at his teasing suggestion. At least I hope it was teasing.

"I'm sorry, you just caught me by surprise is all."

Giving a shrug as he finishes cleaning up, he moves to the couch sitting casually close to me. "It's quite alright. You always were uneasy with the mention of sex." Always? So this isn't the first time we've discussed it or…oh boy.

In desperate need of a subject change before braving any further discussion on our romantic relationship, or lack there of, I go with the first thing that comes to mind. "Why do you call me Thomas and the others call me Tommy?"

Seeming surprised by the off topic question, he still recovers fast enough, giving a shrug. "Because I prefer to call you Thomas and they prefer to call you Tommy I suppose." Alright then.

Now honestly rather curious, I ask what would seem to be the most obvious follow up question. "And what do I prefer?"

"Now where would be the fun in telling you that?" Smiling at my scowl, he shuffles the cards lazily once more taking on the impression of a much older, much more knowing man then I'd think appropriate to be a seventeen year old's boyfriend.

"You're not a very considerate boyfriend." Hoping the use of the word will strike a cord and actually give me some sort of helpful response or answer, I'm rather annoyed when it only earns me another amused smile.

"Perhaps not." Well at least he's honest. Relenting a bit as I cross my arms and seem less then pleased, he begins dealing me a hand of cards as he offers up a more reasonable answer. "You're name is technically Tommy. I originally called you Thomas because I knew it would annoy you. Thinking back on it now it was rather childish of me. However over time you seemed to get upset if I refrained from doing it. Thus I continue."

"Oh. So why were you trying to annoy me?"

"According to Zordon, I lack self control." Leaving me to take that comment as I will he tosses down two cards, drawing two more.

Sighing as I really cannot think of any decent response considering I don't remember Zordon, or Zedd's apparently lack of self control, I bring the conversation full circle. Somewhat against my better judgment. "So, have we ever, you know."

Raising a brow as he apparently does not know, I mentally kick myself for suddenly wanting to know so very badly.

Lowering my gaze back to my cards and drawing one of my own, I mutter out the clarification. "Slept together."

"No. I'm straight." What?! Snickering as my head comes up at this, suddenly getting the very bad impression that he's been playing with me this whole time, he stops the barrage of insults and accusations before I can begin them by showing me his cards. "I'm a straight flush Thomas, you've only a pair of fives. I win this hand. And as for your question, I assume you're referring to intercourse not just sleeping itself, so no we have not slept together in that sense. Yet."

Still fuming at his manipulative choice of words concerning his answer and card hand, I toss mine down and start for the bedroom he'd pointed out as mine when we first arrived. "And with how you play your cards, you never will. Have fun sleeping on the couch."

To be continued…….