A/N: Still own nothing.
TOMMY
Okay, I'm okay. Everything is fine; I'm not locked in that awful room. I'm not going to be hurt, I hope. It's all okay.
Breathing hard and kicking myself as I'd forgotten about the nightmares, forgotten that sleeping by Zedd was the one thing that was keeping them at bay, I huddle under the bed trying to control my breathing and hoping that the link wasn't open long enough for him to find me. I mean, yeah, he keeps the nightmares away, but what good does that do when I can't trust him. And yeah, he and Pina healed me, but they lied to me too. Okay, sometimes they told the truth, but still.
I frown. Pina mentioned that we were enemies once, but she said that we became friends and that he respected me. When exactly did that happen? And if we are friends why the lying?
Wrapped up in my thoughts I almost miss the sound of footsteps in the hall. Please no. Please, please just keep walking. Be on your way to the infirmary, or Zedd's room. Just please not here. Holding my breath and continuing to pray that they'll pass by and go to their own rooms I cross my fingers in a childish gesture for luck.
Realizing that my prayers have gone unanswered as the link was apparently open for too long as I hear the door open, I give a silent curse. Stupid link. Stupid nightmares. Stupid tracking skills.
"Thomas."
Cringing as my name is said in a soft tone, which I cannot yet place, I close my eyes tightly, another childish gesture I'm sure, and hope that the covers of the bed which hang down to the floor will be enough to hide me.
I'm not too surprised when I hear Zedd's voice continue though, but I am surprised at how tired I now realize he sounds. "Thomas, please come out. You won't be punished. You have every right to be mad at me, but not at Pina or Dar. They were doing what I asked them to. I thought it was the best way. I was going to explain everything when you were well enough to understand I swear on my honor."
I almost snort in disbelief. He's been lying to me this whole time and he expects me to believe him now? I keep very quiet and still, but listen closely as he speaks again. "Thomas, I know you're under the bed." Damn it! "I can hear your heartbeat." Unsure if that's really cool, or really creepy, I remain silent as he continues gently. "The last thing I ever wanted was for you to be afraid of me. Please come out and let me explain - to you and to them."
Wait, what? He has to explain to them, too? Aren't they all in this together? I bite my lip, trying to decide what to do. They have me blocked in, so I can't escape again. I know who he really is now, so whatever he says won't make a bit of difference. And really how much longer can I stay under here before they get tired of trying to talk me out and decide to instead yank me out by the scruff of my neck.
Giving it another minute of thought I in the end slip out from under the bed on the side furthest away from them before I raise my head just a bit, peeking over the top, fully expecting them to be armed and aiming at me.
Slightly surprised to see no sign of any weapons, I look them all over carefully. They all seem to be relieved to see me - even Dar - but my attention is mostly drawn to Zedd. Worry, fear, and exhaustion are stamped deeply in his face and, for a minute, I actually feel bad about running away.
No, no I cannot let them do that to me. They lied remember? They're the reason I ran to begin with and if they're exhausted or worried it's their fault. Reminding myself who they all are and what they did once more, any remorse I have quickly fades. "Give me one good reason I should trust you - you're my enemies."
The three of them wince at that announcement - hah, weren't expecting that, were you? How are you gonna get out of that one? - before Pina finally answers softly. "That's partly true, Tommy. We were once your enemies - when we were evil. Obviously you don't remember, but something happened that removed the evil from us many years ago. Since then we've changed. Even though we were enemies once, we have been good to you since you've been here. I hope good enough for you to at least listen to what Zedd has to say."
I can feel my eyes narrow at what she conveniently left out. "But you said that we were friends."
I see her shoulders drop in defeat. "I did say that, yes. I wanted us to be friends, but I knew that if I told you that we had been enemies in the past, you might not give us the chance to help you. If I hadn't said that we simply didn't get along before, but became friends over time, you wouldn't have trusted us enough to take the medicine or use the machine that made you better, right?"
Hating that she's right, but knowing she probably is, I shake my head stubbornly still not happy with any of them. "That doesn't make you lying okay."
"I know. I'm sorry Tommy, but we were just trying to help you, and needed your trust to do that." Pausing for a minute and apparently knowing that I'm still not fully able to believe her, she tries one last thing that I guess she's hoping will at least get me to stay put. "I know you're upset with us, with me, but I really need you to understand what I'm saying and believe me."
"Why?"
"Because the medicine I left to get for you will help your brain. One of the drugs they were giving you on Earth was making your brain worse - not better and despite what's happened today I still very much want to help you get better." She can make my brain better? Is she trying to trick me? She did get hurt to get this medicine. She probably wouldn't have risked that if she wasn't sure this stuff would work. But still…
Unsure what to say, I'm thankfully spared having to say anything as a low rumble fills the room and Pina and Zedd look at Dar. Shrugging he responds to their silent question with a hint of annoyance. "I can't help it. We haven't eaten - even if he has."
Returning her attention to me as Zedd's stomach growls next, Pina holds out her hands in a peaceful gesture. "What about this? The four of us can go down to the kitchen where we can eat and explain things to you. If you aren't satisfied when we're done explaining, then you can tell us what you want us to do to make you feel more comfortable and safe with us. Okay?"
Frowning, I think it over. There's got to be a trick in there somewhere, but what is it? It seems perfectly reasonable. I can't really see a good reason to refuse - well, except that I don't quite believe them about not being evil anymore. Still tired though and really not in the mood to go running off into the night again I finally give a short nod. "Fine, but if you start lying again I'm leaving." Completely ignoring the fact I have no way to actually leave, I'm glad when Dar simply heads for the door followed by Pina.
Waiting until his friends are gone, Zedd studies me for a minute looking unsure about following. "You will follow us, right?"
Stunned and angry that he's going to pull the I-can't-trust-you card, I bristle hotly and fix him with a hard look. "I'm not the one who's been doing all the lying." As I see him flinch at that, I remember one time that I did actually lie to him. Of course, he deserved it, but still I guess that was a little unfair.
Dropping his head in a too sad way and heading for the door, he is really making me feel bad here.
Deciding at the last minute to give him something for all the worry it would seem I put him through tonight I heave a sigh and speak up once more. "Well, I suppose that's not entirely true. I did lie to you. Once."
He stops in the doorway, face lit by the hall lights so that I can clearly see his expression when I say, "I did tap the bond on purpose this morning right before I um…you know."
Raising a brow his response is calm but quick. "Why?"
Shrugging and not really sure as I know it really was pretty mean, especially when he didn't do it to me on purpose, I still hear the words coming out of my mouth before I can stop them. "Paybacks are a bitch."
Taking a moment to understand what that means I watch as pride, humor, and embarrassment war on his handsome face - did I just think that he was handsome? - before he finally speaks again. "I thought so. You are picking that up quickly; I just hope that you won't keep me blocked out forever. I'll see you in the kitchen."
He turns and leaves the room and after a minute, I follow him.
