A/N: Sorry folks! Circumstances being what they are, I haven't had a chance to talk to my muse in a LONG time. Unfortunately, that means that my interest fades a bit and I forget to continue posting. I'll try and remember better from now on.

A DAY AND A HALF LATER

Standing on the bridge and breathing a sigh of relief as the planet comes into view, I glance at my ever present shadow, pleased to see his own expression of wonder and joy at the sight before us.

"That's your home?"

"That's my home."

Watching him closely as he studies the planet intently, I can't help but smile at his more at ease behavior and speech. He still cowers on occasion, but a day and a half of virtual freedom have done wonders for his confidence and growing trust in me, both of which are highly important if I'm to be much help to him in the weeks to come. Of course this is not to say that he's himself once more, not by any stretch of the imagination, but more and more often, I see the man he must have been before the accident slowly slipping in.

Slowing the ship to enter the atmosphere, I suddenly realize that I have neglected to tell him about my comrades that live with me. It also dawns on me that the sight of the castle - inside and out - might trigger some less than pleasant memories.

Okay, so I didn't think this all the way through. Taking a deep breath, I type in the correct commands and hail the castle. "Dar - it's Zedd. Come in."

A moment later, his voice comes through, though lack of a visual connection on the view screen suggests he is in his office and not mine. "Welcome home. How did it go?"

"Mission accomplished. He's with me. Though a little worse for wear." Ignoring the questioning look from Thomas for the time being, I continue. "Has Pina made up a room for him?"

A disapproving snort causes my hackles to rise, but he continues before I can comment. "Right next to yours and around the corner from hers."

This gives me pause, as I know that her room is across the castle a damn sight closer to his than mine. "What?"

"For the time being, she has changed rooms as she feels the human may benefit from her being close at hand to offer reassurance and some sort of female like comfort. She was very insistent that he be made to feel safe and at home." It is all I can do not to laugh at the petulant tone in his voice, knowing that once Pina actually sets her mind to something it will be done.

Hiding my amusement, I reply as reasonably as I can. "It is probably best, while he is showing more trust in me I think he might be more comfortable and at ease around her. Regardless though, we'll be landing shortly and when we do I'd like you both on your best behavior, I'd rather not have your quarrel upsetting him."

Grumbling something too low to truly make out, though I have a guess at what it is, he finally responds back, "Understood. Dar out." Almost laughing again at the curt tone, I begin the landing procedure. Grudge, much?

As I continue landing, I address Thomas. "I'm greatly sorry Thomas, I forgot to mention that I have two friends that live and work with me - Dar and Pina. They will help with your care and therapy - again, real therapy not that nonsense from that place you were in. Also if you are ever in need of anything and I'm not there you can feel free to ask one of them and they will help you."

As the silence stretches, I spare him another glance - and almost forget what I'm doing. Quickly, I return my attention to the procedure, but his paper white face and huddled posture is now burned in my brain. Shit.

Landing as quickly as I can without tearing the ship apart or causing us to be jostled unnecessarily I turn my full attention to him once we're on the ground, leaving the computer to shut the rest of the controls and such down. "Thomas, what's wrong?"

"He doesn't like me - doesn't want me here." His hands are shaking in a way that I haven't seen since I found him, and I don't like it. Damn it Goldar! And here I thought my temper would be the biggest hurtle to overcome.

Sliding out of my seat and onto the floor near him I do my best to appear reassuring and calm as I try to catch his eye. "Thomas, Dar is just… he, well he's stupid and sometimes he doesn't understand that other people are more fragile and easily scared or upset than he is." Sighing and knowing this is not going well I try a different approach. "I have promised that you would be safe with me, right?" He nods. "I have not broken that promise, have I?" He shakes his head negatively. "I'm not going to break that promise now."

I realize how much his trust in me is shaken when he doesn't look me in the eyes as he finally gives a verbal response of, "Okay." There must be something I can do to fix this. If only I knew why he was so upset, after all it's not as if Goldar threatened to hurt him, and even if he had I will be there to - oh, so that's it.

Again, sudden insight saves me. "I'm not just leaving you here. This is my home, not a hospital of some sort. I will be with you, helping you, and making certain you're happy and comfortable just like I have the past two days we've been on the ship together."

His eyes fly up to meet mine and search my face for any deception. Finally satisfied that I'm telling the truth, he nods as color returns to his face and his hands slowly cease shaking.

"Good, do you feel better now? You understand it's going to be all right and my friends are not going to hurt you?"

Still looking a bit doubtful about the last part, he however gives another small nod, most likely just to please me.

I'm about to speak again, determined to reassure him to the best of my ability before venturing out of the safety of the ship when I'm interrupted by Pina's laughing voice outside. "Are you two going to stay in there all day or are you coming out?"

I sigh heavily at the interruption, but am secretly pleased when Thomas' mouth quirks into a half smile. Well it's better than nothing. "We're coming!" I call back.

Standing up quickly I gather a few things nearby as Thomas rises more slowly, being cautious of his still healing ribs. I lead the way to the exit and we descend the ramp to ground level, my guest pressed tightly up against my back as my mind is races to think of a way to alert Pina to his mental state without letting him know, or causing him to feel badly about himself.

A minute later, I realize I should have trusted her more. As she is aware of wounded animals in the woods which surround the castle, so too, is she aware of the wounded animal that follows me cautiously out of the ship. Her stance and behavior change immediately as she gets her first look at him and the thought flickers briefly through my head - not for the first time - if her skill is because she was once part animal herself.

I watch as she moves slowly and speaks quietly, softly to the still skittish human who seems determined to us me as a shield. "Hello, Thomas. Welcome to our home. I'm so glad you decided to come." Decided, got taken, same difference. Slowly, she stretches out her hand, palm up and waits.

When the Ranger glances at me, I nod and watch as he slowly reaches out and touches her hand. She smiles at him and he tentatively smiles back, putting not only him more at ease, but myself as well.

As the two continue to touch hands and exchange looks, both perhaps connecting to each other on a quiet level, I'm almost ready to suggest I leave them be for the moment when the mood is shattered by the sound of Dar's approach through the castle. I swear a herd of Earth elephants or Eltarian gondar have nothing on him as it is clear he is slamming his way through the doors and stomping down the entrance corridor.

Hearing it as well, Thomas is quick to snatch his hand back as though he's been burned. Damn it all!

Stalking away from my charge, hoping Scorpina will keep him calm in my absence I put on my best evil look as I face the door her mate is about to come through.

Behind me, I hear Pina talking softly to Thomas, no doubt once more holding his hand gently as she gives him the reassurance he needs. "It's all right, Thomas. It's just Dar. He's loud, but he's harmless to anyone that means him no harm." As she suddenly pauses I realize that she has gotten the blank stare which he is so prone to giving these days, before much like myself she corrects her speech to accommodate him, "He won't hurt you if you don't hurt him."

I keep one ear tuned to their conversation as Dar bursts through the door. He takes one look at my face and skids to a halt as I hear Thomas respond quietly with protest, "He doesn't like me and doesn't want me here."

I pray that Pina doesn't mention their past as I stare Goldar down. It becomes very obvious that I have underestimated her once more as she answers gently. "No, no. It's not that he doesn't like you, he's just upset with me right now as I'm his lover and I have put that on hold for a short while to help care for you."

I can almost hear Thomas cringe at that statement most likely out of guilt and still present fear of Goldar, as being male himself, he probably realizes just how frustrating such a matter can be. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's my choice, not yours. I want to help you and I don't want you to feel worried or upset that you're interrupting something if you need me, which I have a feeling would be the case if I hadn't decided to sleep by myself for a while." Knowing she's most likely right myself, I can practically feel him give in to her decision and offer a small nod of agreement as at the very least he acknowledges that she's correct in that it is her choice to make.

"And again please don't worry about Dar. He will be fine, and if he ever does scare or upset you just tell me and I will fix it. I promise he's far more scared of me than I am of him." This is true. Though at the moment I'd wager I'm the one he's most fearful of as I continue to glare him down.

"Now, will you let me show you where your room is while they talk?" A moment later, Pina is leading the human past us and into the castle, Thomas pressed tightly into her side and avoiding eye contact with the one he still seems certain does not like him. Giving me a parting glance as she leads him through the doors, her look is clear 'set him straight before I do'. Not to worry.

As the doors close quietly behind them I give the two a moment to get far enough away so as not to overhear, and even then when I do speak, I am very quiet so he realizes the seriousness of what I am saying. "Dar, I am only going to say this once - and you will hear me. He is not the Ranger who once defeated you. Not only has he grown up and matured, the damage he has suffered has temporarily altered him. He has no real sense of self, his confidence is gone, and he is very easily upset." Pausing to take a breath and calm myself I continue after only a moment determined not to wait too long and lose my desire to.

"The hospital that the humans sent him to only furthered his damage. While he was in that awful place, he was abused and molested in ways I wouldn't even have considered in my worst days of evil. When I found him, he was so heavily drugged he couldn't fight off the three human males that were beating him and mere minutes from raping him."

Nearly choking on the word, I am relieved to see the horror clearly written on his face. "I am asking you - not as your boss, but as a friend - please set aside your anger and prejudices and help me help him."

He hesitates, not familiar with this side of me and unsure how to react. Finally, he decides and squares his shoulders. "All I can promise you is that I'll try."

Relieved I got that much from him and slightly disappointed it wasn't more, I am still however grateful for his honesty. "Until he learns to trust you, I doubt you'll have much to do with him anyway."

Relief lights his eyes, but is absent from his face. "That seems fair - I'll have to learn to trust him, too."

Okay, see, this is the kind of noncommittal double talk I pay him so very well for, when he's dealing with others. With me however, it is just not going to work. "I'm sure you can only imagine the penalties if you fail at this." Not only from myself but also the all too dangerous woman inside the castle.

Startled by my not-so-subtle threat, he is quick to reassure me. "As I have already promised Scorpina, I will not go out of my way to upset or frighten him." It would seem this talk isn't the first one he's gotten today. Good, perhaps there will be fewer problems then.

"That's all I ask for now." Subject closed, I head for the door. "All of this aside, I do hope you're cooking dinner tonight. The stuff the ship turns out is absurdly bland by comparison."

Oh, yeah, I'm stroking his ego a little. I've learned that it helps considerably when I've asked him to do something he doesn't really want to do. I glance at him out of the corner of my eye and just barely catch his grin. His tone is casual however when he answers, "Well, I wasn't going to, but if you want, I suppose I can."

I turn and give him a look that speaks volumes drawing a slight laugh from his too smart mouth. "I already have a roast started. Relax, Zedd."

Mouth instantly watering at the mere mention of one of my favorite dishes, I swallow hard as he grins at me. Regaining my composure, I move inside as he follows, just a bit more subdued and less homicidal. "That will be fine I suppose."

Snickering and giving a parting comment concerning how full of it I am, we separate at an intersection - he to the kitchen and I to find the other two.

Moving through the halls and pleased to see my two friends haven't destroyed the place during the lovers' quarrel which occurred in my absence, I make my way to Thomas' new room, stopping just outside the partly opened door.

As I see the pair sitting on the large four post bed - Pina near the pillows facing the door and Thomas at the foot with his back leaning on one of the tall posts facing her, I am stunned at the level of trust she has already gained from him.

Apparently already in conversation about things other than the décor of the room, Pina responds to something he's clearly confided in her before I arrived. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really." His answer is firm, even if it is quiet and I have to wonder if perhaps it's something relating to rehabilitation center.

"That's okay. If you change your mind, I'll listen. Whatever's on your mind, you can tell me." He can tell me too you know. Pushing aside the small desire to complain at how easily he seems to have fallen into trust with her when it took me the better part of two days to just get him to talk to and look at me, I attempt to brush it off knowing I should be more concerned with him simply trusting someone regardless of if it's me or not.

Cocking his head to the side and still oblivious to my eavesdropping, he studies her for a long minute before responding with something that very well makes me want to groan. "I don't want to be called Thomas. I like Tommy better." Honestly, I have never in my life heard anyone complain about the use of their name so much as this human.

"If you want to be called Tommy, then I will call you Tommy." Oh thanks, that's helpful.

"Zedd won't." Zedd won't. Zedd doesn't believe in giving in to things which do not benefit himself or the people he is trying to help. Besides Tommy is just, it is not him. It lacks the demand for respect that he deserves.

She laughs lightly and catches my eye, knowing I am present, but yet not telling the boy most likely for fear he will clam up once more. "No, he wouldn't. There was a time when you two didn't get along you know." There's an understatement.

"I thought we were friends." Well what should I have said? I at one point and time attempted to destroy everyone and thing you loved so I might claim you as my heir? Yes that would have gone over well.

"You are." The small fabrication coming easily, she continues without the slightest bit of concern it seems. "Sometimes the best friends come from people who are the worst enemies. And with that thought, I would say you and Zedd will become very good friends. As for his refusal to call you Tommy though, well once you gained his respect a long time ago, he started calling you Thomas. He's not doing it to be mean to you, to him, it's a way of making you his equal in many ways."

Thinking over what she's said and seeming to understand some of it, even if I doubt he's grasped the meaning of her words of wisdom concerning friends and enemies, he at least looks to understand that I am his friend now despite us apparently not getting along well in the past. "I don't get it." Or perhaps not.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to confuse you. All I meant to say was that you and Zedd are friends and he doesn't mean to upset you by refusing to call you Tommy."

"No, I mean I sort of understand that part. I just, well it just doesn't seem fair." What's not fair? "He told me to call him by a nickname, so he should do the same, right?"

I groan to myself as I see the startled look on Pina's face. "What do you mean?"

"He said his name was Zeddic, but I could call him Zedd."

Head in hand I can practically see her biting her lip, trying to control her laughter at his words and perturbed tone.

Finally and with a too amused smile on her face, she answers him. "Well I can see why you'd think that a bit unfair of him. However the reason he said that is because where we come from, full names are only used by family and it is the height of disrespect to call him by it. Honestly I'm a little surprised he told you his full name." I wasn't thinking at the time, give me a break.

Considering this for several minutes, he finally responds, displaying at least some understanding of what she's said. "Like my family might use my full name of Thomas James Oliver, but nobody else really does."

"Exactly." Nodding and standing up slowly, she stretches before changing the subject casually. "I'm going to check the ship's medical logs and see what your injuries are and what treatments Zedd's been using. Do you want to come with me or do you feel like resting before dinner?"

Opening his mouth to answer, or perhaps ask what he'll be having for dinner as he most likely is hungry, he however doesn't get the chance as he's cut off by a telling yawn. "I want to go with you, but I'm tired." You should be, I don't think you slept more than a few hours at a time on the ship.

"Would you like me to stay with you until you fall asleep?"

He considers this briefly before nodding, looking fairly grateful for the offer.

Helping him get into bed and settled under the covers, she then settles herself into a chair nearby. "I won't leave until you're asleep and I'll try and make sure that either Zedd or I am here when you wake up, all right?"

"Okay." Letting his eyes fall partly closed his next comment makes her smile much more brightly than I can ever recall seeing in the past. "You're nice."

"Thank you." Hey I'm nice too. All right so not as nice as her, but in all fairness I was evil for a longer period of time.

"Zedd's nice too." What now? Really? "But he's kinda…" Struggling to find a word which will suit my brash demeanor, it is apparently not coming as Pina thankfully helps him out.

"Intimidating?"

"Yeah."

"He can be, but I promise he won't hurt you, and he'll do whatever it takes to protect you and keep you safe." Smiling and watching as he finally closes his eyes fully, she lowers the volume of her voice further, coaxing him to rest. "Sleep now, we'll talk more after you get some rest."