STILL ANOTHER PART OF THE GALAXY

TWO DAYS LATER

ZEDD

The last few days have gone well. It was unanimously agreed that some of Thomas' lessons would be put off until the computer and programs arrived. In the meantime, I have been sparring with him and Pina has been taking him out in the woods. Dar has been keeping his distance from Thomas as much as possible, which is the best I can hope for, I suppose, as they are still finding their way around each other.

Watching Thomas stretching for another sparring session across the front yard, I let my mind wander to some of his other problems. He's curious about male on male sex, but understandably leery after the way he was treated. Thinking about that place too long still makes my blood boil, so I quickly shift my train of thought. I have the beginnings of an idea forming when the front door flies open and Dar and Pina fly out of it. Great what now.

I'm on my feet in an instant and Dar speaks first. "I just got a call from Finster." All right, that's hardly panic worthy. Well unless of course it results in- "Rita and Zordon are on their way here." –that. Lovely.

"Why?" Trying to hold my temper, knowing there will be no good answer for this question, I'm unsurprised as his gaze moves from me to the still warming up ranger a few yards away.

"I think we both know why, Zedd." Yes, but considering their lack of desire to help him before now, I am curious as to what their interest is all of the sudden. Not to mention how to make them lose said interest before they cause any setbacks or problems in his recovery and my promise to Scorpina not to kill them.

"Fine, we'll just have to make certain he's somewhere inside and well-guarded when they arrive. It shouldn't be too hard to place the palace in lockdown, we have done it before after all." Trying to keep calm and think of a way to inform Thomas he will be resigned to the inside of the house for a day or so, I just need to figure out when they will be here, and how much time I will have to prepare. "When are they due to arrive?"

"That's the thing," Scorpina begins looking more concerned than I like. "They left two days ago."

"And he's just now letting us know?" Oh that's nice. Wait, wait a minute, two days ago? "Wait a minute - then that would mean-"

Pina interrupts. "The proximity alarms went off just now. Two ships."

"Two?" That makes no sense. Rita's place is directly between here and Zordon's place. Unless they are having some kind of disagreement, it would make more sense for them to come together. Something isn't right here. I spin toward Thomas who is still oblivious to the impending trouble coming our way. "Thomas! Get inside! Quickly!"

Though looking surprised and slightly confused, he thankfully doesn't argue and makes his way across the lawn. "Zedd what's wrong?"

I don't have time for this. "I'll explain later, just get inside fast and stay there until I come and get you. You're not safe out here as-"

Just as he reaches me and I try to explain enough to get him to listen and obey, the two ships come into sight. Thomas looks over his shoulder, stopping dead in his tracks. "Deca?"

Suddenly grabbing his head and falling to his knees with a grunt of pain as another memory hits, this is the last thing I need right now. I bark an order at the other two. "Get him inside - now!"

As Dar picks him up knowing we can't spare the time he needs to recover and be able to move on his own, I hear him mutter one word before racing him to the safety of the palace - "Andros". I turn to look at the ships once more and I understand. The second ship belongs to the Astro Rangers. This could get ugly. Fortunately, my staff is within summoning range if I need it.

I move to place myself between our 'visitors' and the castle as the ships land. As the doors open and the ramps lower, I fold my arms across my chest and wait to see who emerges. Rita and Zordon disembark from one ship - which I expected. From the other, Andros and - oh hells.

I stand my ground as the four of them approach me. They stop about ten feet away all looking as thrilled to see me as I am to see them. There is silence for a minute before I finally speak. "Unexpected visitors. How rude."

Rita rolls her eyes. Before she can speak, Jason speaks up. "I just want to see Tommy and see for myself how he's doing."

I can barely hear the growls coming from inside as I address the former Red Ranger. "So now you're concerned?"

Jason pales, but looks me in the eye. "I just found out what happened recently. I was unreachable and didn't receive the messages. I didn't know until I walked into Hayley's place a few days ago and she told me everything."

I merely raise an eyebrow at this information before shifting my glance to Andros. "And you?"

He shrugs, calmer and in truth more used to my short temper and personality than the rest of them, knowing from past encounters we've had over the last few years that he will get nowhere by snapping at me or making demands. "I found out from Jason. I want to know how he is also." News apparently travels very slowly in their sector of the galaxy.

Giving the Red Ranger a bored look, I'm unsurprised as he produces a black velvet pouch and tosses it to me. "What's this?"

"Your usual price." Seeming unphased as the other three give him rather surprised looks, Andros much to his credit is unbothered it seems by the attention.

Opening the bag and looking at the gem stones and gold coins inside none of which are worth all of that much, I put them back in the pouch before tucking it away in my own pocket. "You can't bribe me to get to him. Though I do appreciate the gesture."

"Don't think of it as a bribe, think of it as a token of our appreciation for not releasing the dogs, or Goldar on us."

"I'm not making any promises, as I haven't yet fed Goldar today." I jest back calmly before turning to look at the other pair. Andros and Jason I can tolerate, these two however, I snort in derision. "And what about you two? I know that at least one of you has known about this for a while now. Why show up now?"

Rita draws herself up to her full height - which is still lower than my shoulder and, really, not all that impressive - and speaks. "Until recently, I believed that there was nothing my magic could do to help him. However after reviewing the documents Scorpina has recently sent me, I believe that if her current findings are correct, then there is something I can do."

I snarl at her before speaking through my teeth. "Oh yes, the great Goddess of Light. If it cannot be done with magic, then it really is not worth your time and effort, is it? Well, guess what Rita? The three of us have done a great deal to help him in the short time he has been here and without magic." I wave a hand in the direction of the two Red Rangers. "At least they have excuses, pitiful as they are, and a bribe, be it a small one. But you two - you have nothing. Light and darkness forbid that you get your hands a little dirty and try. I should-"

I stop abruptly as I register Pina in the corner of my eye before she lays her hand on my arm. She speaks quietly. "Zedd, stop, calm down, breath, and stop."

"I will not stop." Pulling my arm from her grasp, knowing she likes to keep the peace so to speak I however will not be swayed so easily on this matter. "You know how they are Scorpina! They never wish to get involved with anything unless it's already been taken care of or it somehow benefits them. Andros and Jason I can deal with, as I at least trust their honor to a degree. These two however are manipulative, self-involved, backstabbing-"

"Zedd stop!" Voice raising to a stern tone as she snaps at me much to my surprise, she shakes her head urging me to focus. "This isn't about them! You're upsetting him. Stop and feel how upset and scared he is."

I shove my rage aside for a moment and immediately understand. He is upset and a little frightened. Reflexively, I look over my shoulder to see Dar in the partly open doorway and Thomas peering out from behind him. "Damn it." Angry at myself now for not blocking him from my momentary rage at my uninvited company I try to calm down, looking to Scorpina. "I didn't mean to upset him, you know how I get when they're around."

"Upset him how?" Looking to the house and frowning, Rita's clearly trying to determine what is occurring. "He's too far away to hear us." The statement made more to herself than anyone else, I do not however like how it's now on her mind.

Trying to prevent her from noticing something she shouldn't I turn back to the four in front of me quickly before focusing solely on Jason. "You said that you found out what happened when you went to see the female, correct?"

He nods, his eyes never leaving mine. "Hayley told me what happened and showed me the email you sent her - with the proof."

I hold up my hand to stop him. "We have discovered quite a bit more since then that I have not told her." Which really sucks because I have wanted to torment her some more and been forbidden. I permit my gaze to flicker to the still frowning in thought Rita and her companion before returning to the man before me. "There were things done there that I wouldn't have done on my most evil of days."

I wait for this to register fully, watching faces pale and glances being exchanged between the four. Finally, Zordon speaks. "We hear you, Zedd. And we are sorry that happened to him and we were unfortunately unaware of it and unable to be of help. However we are here now, and would like to at least try and make amends."

"And?"

Sighing at my bored response, my one time enemy continues calmly. "And we would very much like to explain things to him and apologize. So may we see him now?"

Oh the temptation to send them all packing, mostly for Zordon and Rita. However, it would be pure selfishness on my part. If the witch - excuse me, Goddess of Light - can actually help him, it would be to his benefit. Finally, I decide. "Speak softly and no sudden movements. You will find that occasionally you will have to rephrase yourselves so that he can understand you. Also if you upset him, I will kill you."

When they have all indicated that they understand, I signal Dar to bring the still uneasy human out. I can't deny that I am pleased and slightly relieved when Thomas chooses to stand by my side despite me upsetting him only moments ago with my rage over the situation. We have made great strides in the trust department since I removed him from that place and I'm glad I didn't do anything to set that back just now. Still though… Looking to him first, I give a weak smile. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, I just have trouble controlling myself when certain people are around."

Nodding and seeming to relax all the more at my apology and attempt to keep my calm, he responds evenly and with a reassuring touch to my arm. "It's okay, I kind of figured that's what it was. Just wasn't sure exactly which one it was for."

"It wasn't for Andros and Jason if that's what you're worried about. Even if Andros is slightly in my bad graces for not warning me ahead of time about all this." I look at Andros pointedly, and smirk as he has the good sense to look slightly nervous now, before I turn to the group as a whole. "One at a time."

"What do you mean by-" Starting to ask Thomas something Rita is however cut off as Jason takes two steps forward seeming too focused on his brother of sorts to notice her.

"Tommy, I just found out what happened a few days ago. Hayley tried to reach me, but she couldn't. I would have been there for you if I'd have known. I'm so sorry, bro."

Through the bond, I can feel him shutting down again and my hand quickly finds his back, rubbing slowly to try and help keep him focused and calm. "Thomas, do not do that. You can't shut yourself off every time something that upsets you is mentioned. You have to deal with it. Pina has told you that you have to deal with it. Plus when you do that it makes my brain hurt."

Unable to help the barest hint of a smile at my last statement, the look he fixes me with is one torn between gratitude and frustration.

"Something is wrong here." Again speaking more to herself I believe than anyone else, Rita pulls my focus slightly from Thomas for a moment, again making my defenses raise as she seems just far too interested in not only the human now but myself as well.

"Yes, your face. Now shut it so he can talk to his brother." I snark in what I hope is a decently evil tone.

Ignoring us now, hesitantly, Thomas speaks. "I know you didn't know, Jason, but that doesn't take away what happened to me. It doesn't make it better. I-" He stops and looks over his shoulder, towards the woods. Through the bond that he has not completely closed, I can feel the pull that he feels and look also. My superior eyesight locks onto a large bird in a tree at the very edge of the forest. Thomas and I don't move until it flies away. I exchange looks with my companions and my boy before returning my attention to our visitors.

Thomas, for his part, resumes speaking as if he hadn't been interrupted. "I have gotten a lot better since Zedd brought me here. Pina got rid of all the bad drugs in me and has started helping me heal the right way. Dar has kept me well fed and has - been honest with me. Zedd rescued me and kept me safe and has taken care of me and is teaching me things I've lost. I think that if you had seen me when he first brought me here, you wouldn't have known me."

Unaccustomed to such praise, the three of us shift uncomfortably, first in slight embarrassment, and then for an entirely different reason when I suddenly feel my skin crawl as magic brushes against it. Realizing too late what has just happened, my gaze jerks to Rita once more, my anger spiking quickly as I focus my own dark power enough to shove her magic right back down her damn throat. "Don't touch me!" The snarl coming before I can stop it I know I take Thomas by surprise as well as the rest of them, again focusing my rage into my own power and lashing out without thinking. As she is physically shoved back by the intensity of my power, something I didn't think I could actually do anymore since Zordon's little wave nearly killed me, I barely register Scorpina and Goldar's attempt to get through to me, my entire focus on the equally stunned Goddess of Light. "I told you never to touch me like that again!"

Suddenly, Rita gasps though if it's due to me or the realization she has now made thanks to her invasive use of magic I'm uncertain. "No."

"Zeddic stop!" The order coming from Zordon of all people I move in for the kill, instinct and pure unfiltered rage dominating me, it is however not the other eltarian that stops me.

"Zedd don't." Voice stern, and hand once more finding my arm, Thomas grabs me before I can find out just how much power I still have, pulling me back physically and mentally from my attack. "Zedd calm down, you have to calm down. Whatever she did it's not worth it, you have to stop and calm yourself before you do something you'll regret."

Taking several deep breathes as I feel Thomas trying to sooth me through the bound more than hear his words, I only relax after a long minute of forcing myself to for his sake more than anything else. Once I feel I can actually speak again without lapsing into an unbridled rage, I look dangerously at Rita and then Zordon who has positioned himself between us. "If she ever dares to even think of using her magic on me again nothing you say or do will stop me from shoving so much dark power down her throat that she will be lucky if all it does is kill her."

"Understood." Knowing better than to argue with me after seeing what I am still apparently capable of, Zordon for once does the intelligent thing and accepts what I say as the truth. Turning to Rita after determining I will not go for her throat, his expression is a mixture of confusion and aggravation. "What where you doing? Why on Earth did you try something like that?"

Getting her own bearings back and seeming less than phased by my power and threat, she stares at me for a moment, before shifting her gaze to Thomas and back to me. She directs her next statement to the still waiting Zordon. "They're bonded."

Immediately, Thomas and I step back as Pina and Dar move in front of us.

"What?" Looking lost for a moment, before her words finally register, Zordon's own gaze turns to me, before changing from one of confusion to one of surprise and finally understanding as he sees the hold the human still has on my arm and registers that it was not his command that made me stop, but rather that of the Ranger beside me. "You're bonded to Thomas."

I shrug, still working to rid myself of the last sparks of anger from earlier, as if it's nothing special. "So?"

"I wasn't aware that you had made him your mate." Well if you wish to get technical…

"We aren't mates, just friends, and apparently we've been bonded for some time. That was how I knew that something was wrong when he was initially injured."

Nodding in understanding and seeming to be taking this in rather calm stride, perhaps because at least now I am not attempting to kill his traveling companion, Zordon's next statement is no real surprise. "That's why you kept falling ill, he was injured and distressed. Had you been in closer proximity to him you would have known sooner what was wrong."

"Had I known I was bonded to him at the time, I very likely would have been in closer proximity to Earth," I admit before really registering what I am saying. "Either way there's no use dwelling on it now. He's here now and recovering which means no more bougets of sudden sickness for me and so long as you keep her away from me when she is helping him, I should continue to be fine."

Zordon and Rita exchange looks over something I have apparently just said before Rita speaks again. "I don't know what effect using my magic to help him would have on you, Zedd. Even if I used it to heal him, with the bond there it could very likely affect you as well. Plus the difference in species-" I knew it, never trust them.

I interrupt her not in the mood for her list of excuses. "If you can't or won't help, then there is no point in you being here. You might as well leave."

Rita rolls her eyes and sighs heavily. "I didn't say that, Zedd. I just said that I don't know what could happen. If you would stop being so damn stubborn and selfish you'd maybe once hear me correctly and learn something."

Moving to snap back, Dar however stops me as ever the negotiator, he finally speaks up. "All right that shall be enough of that, from both sides, thank you. Listen, clearly this group as a whole does not function well. We know this. We accept this. So with that in mind as well as the fact we are here at the moment to help Tommy may I suggest that Pina's medical files on him be made available to Zordon and Rita so that they can determine if they can help or not? And, Zedd, perhaps you should enlighten Jason and Andros about some things - like bonding and why exactly you just attempted to assassinate Rita so they will put their morphing devices away that they now have at the ready should you snap again. I will take Tommy for sparring and his other lessons."

Pina, Thomas and I all stare at Dar and I, for one, am wondering what he's up to. Dar speaks quietly to us. "The two of you know more about his condition and what happened to him than I do. Plus I am currently at near the same level of hostility toward Rita as Zedd is after her little stunt just now. She knows what her power does to Zedd and for her to use it to determine what was occurring between him and Tommy makes me wish to do her great harm."

The three of us say in unison, "But, Dar-"

He cuts us all off. "I can do this. It's about what's ultimately best for him, right? And being around Rita and Zordon right now is not what's best. I can't focus on protecting both you and him Zedd, and I know that if he joins you all that will be what it will come down to."

And that's where I can't argue. This is more of what I pay him for - backing people into corners that they can't get out of. The problem is he's supposed to do it to other people - not to me. Pina looks at Thomas. "Tommy, is that okay with you?"

He shrugs. "Dar is right - this is the best way." He doesn't sound happy about it - more like resigned. And while I do not like this one bit - they're both right - there really is no other way. I exchange one more look with Pina before I nod in agreement. This will be a fun afternoon…