ZEDD

Meal over and table cleared, I feel a little more relaxed than I have since our visitors arrived - thanks to Dar. Fortunately, he intervened with Rita before I could say or do anything. Everyone has agreed to Zordon's secondary plan. We're going to go shortly to call the Keeper. I study Thomas for a long minute before I address him. "Thomas, who all do you want to be with you in the ship?"

He frowns. "I guess everybody will have to be there."

"Why?"

"Well, I want you, Pina, Dar and Jason there. Zordon and Rita probably will have to be there and it is Andros' ship - so everyone will have to be there." He turns to Dar. "Thanks for - well, stopping Rita from whatever she was going to do."

He nods in acceptance. "I don't know what she was going to do, but she was trying to figure out something as she had the same look in her eyes that she did when she used her power on Zedd outside." Don't remind me, it's still up for debate on if I will let her live or not after that. "As I said, I won't have her disrupting things around here anymore than they already have been and finding some way of taking you from us would have done just that."

"Especially considering I would have to go all the way to her current home world and destroy a good chunk of it in retaliation" I agree calmly and in complete seriousness.

"Which then I would have to go and send a fruit basket to the remaining inhabitants of what's left to apologize for" Goldar adds just as calmly.

Looking at both of us, Thomas shakes his head after a moment, a slight smile gracing his face. "You two are so weird."

"Not weird, just efficient." I protest as all of us finish our dessert and prepare to head out to Andros' ship, none of us wishing to put this off for too long.

"Weird" Thomas states once more before heaving a sigh and moving to stand beside me. "Come on, let's go do this before I change my mind."

Feeling his unease over the situation as the others agree and we all troop out to the ship, I am uncertain if it's desire from him tugging at me through the bond, or if it's something I myself come up with out of some buried part of my past I subconsciously tap into, but I suddenly find myself threading my fingers on my right hand through those on his left giving a reassuring squeeze once our hands are joined.

The nervousness that I could feel from him only a moment ago, that which was nearly as high as my own is quickly replaced as he glances at our hands and seems to almost visibly relax. "Not letting anyone take me without a fight huh?" The question coming with a soft laugh, he manages to put me a bit more at ease over the situation as well.

"Not a chance," Calling my staff to me, and smiling as it appears in my free hand, I ignore the slight stumble from the two Red Rangers who seem to be the only ones surprised by my action and its appearance.

"Is that really necessary, Zeddic?" Rita's voice like nails on a chalkboard to my ears, I give her what I hope is a calm look.

"For your sake you better hope it's not."

Once inside the craft, Andros initiates the call though does seem to be considering something as he does. "You know, not to be 'that guy' or anything, but was this whole thing really necessary? I mean Tommy is a Ranger, and while he may not recall everything about that or currently be able to access his powers, he does still technically have access to The Keeper."

"What's your point?" Seeming as lost as I am about what Andros is driving at Jason looks to us for help, unfortunately only getting similar looks of confusion in return.

"My point is, if he and Zedd are bonded, and basically share everything intentionally or not, technically wouldn't that mean that Zedd –"

"No, it wouldn't." Rita cuts the boy off quickly apparently seeing where he is going before the rest of us do.

"That Zedd would what?" I question, looking to her suspiciously before turning to the now quiet and thoughtful looking Zordon.

"Hmm, you know I hadn't actually considered that, but I suppose technically if Tommy was so inclined to he would be able to give Zedd-"

"No," Again jumping in Rita fixes her only friend in the room with a hard look.

"Give Zedd what?" I demand, my one hand tightening around my staff as the other continues to keep hold of Thomas'.

"You have to admit it's something neither of us considered given the fact we were unaware he and Zedd were bonded until today." Zordon replies calmly and with a slight shrug to Rita's rather hard look. "It's an unusual situation, but given the fact he may still have access to his powers, the powers she actually gave him no less, it's highly possible he could allow Zedd-"

"What part of no are you not understanding?"

"Allow Zedd what?" I demand, growing rather irritated by this entire matter.

"Allow you access to The Keeper." Scorpina finally supplies with a calm shrug. "Which to be perfectly honest about, I don't see the big deal in." Looking to the glaring Rita she continues evenly. "I mean truthfully what is it you think he would do with such information? There's very little on that planet that would interest him. If he's not acceptable to the powers at the great temple, none will bond to him. I highly doubt he would harm The Keeper as that could result in harm being brought on Tommy in retaliation. Truly the worse he could and probably would do would be to contact her at odd hours just to annoy her out of boredom."

As Rita is clearly about to protest, she is however beaten to it as the one we are currently discussing chimes in from the viewing screen she suddenly appears on. "And given how often he becomes bored I feel I would either have to eventually leave the ruins and travel to your world to punish him, or have the former blue wearing wolf construct a new communication device so that those not of my world that guard the power may reach me from their own worlds."

Zordon addresses her first. "Dulcea-"

She interrupts him. "I can see why you have called, Zordon." Looking at Thomas and then to myself, she gives a slight nod. "He will not be harmed Zeddic, nor taken from you. I would not allow a forced separation of a bonded pair." Taken by surprise as I was unaware Zordon and Rita had time to inform her of our bond, I look to the two with slight annoyance.

"Anyone else you wish to inform in an effort to get him away from me?" I know it's unfair to a degree as Zordon has yet to really suggest he will attempt to now remove Thomas from my care, seeming to actually be taking the fact we are bonded in stride, but my defenses are still high nevertheless, especially after Rita's attack on me earlier.

Looking weary, but replying in a rather calm manner, Zordon responds before Dulcea can continue. "Zedd no one is trying to take him from you. You have to calm down, you may not be mates, but the knowledge you're bonded as well as the close proximity you now have to him is making you possessive and dangerous. Stop and think for a minute about your lessons from childhood. You know how bonding affects our emotions, stop and examine the situation critically, without your emotions taking over. Dulcea just stated she would not force a separation, and Rita has given her word to Goldar she will not remove him from here without your and Tommy's approval."

Piping in as she looks to me and then Rita calmly, Dulcea continues unbothered by my outburst it seems. "Not to mention if she were to try without the agreement of the young falcon himself, I would be rather displeased. As causing distress to my children of the great power does not make me happy." I can't help but be lost for words as she continues with an almost amused smirk at my expenses I believe. "You should also know that I was not informed by your visitors Zeddic. He has been bonded to you longer than you are aware young lord."

"What do you mean?" Rita questions curiously, apparently as uncertain as I am of how she knows this.

"As I told you before when we discussed his power and yours my dear Goddess of Light, it was not a conflict of power that prevented you from having him, but a matter of birds." Smiling sadly at all of our confusion it seems, the warrior shakes her head slowly giving a weary sigh. "Or rather one particular bird."

And speaking of this matter, what does she mean about Rita having me? She never had me, I tolerated her, but it's not as if we were bond…oh. Bird. Falcon. Suddenly looking at my hand that is still holding Thomas' I come to the dim realization that there was a reason I was never fully satisfied with Rita, I just wasn't aware of what it was at the time.

"Yes and I still don't understand what birds had to do with-" Suddenly stopping and looking as if she now understands all too well, her gaze flickers to myself and finally Thomas before the same realization that struck me now hits her full force. "Oh."

"He was bonded when he went to retrieve the great power from you," Jason apparently catching up with the program quicker than the rest of us, the former Red Rangers shakes his head smiling as he does. "You knew before you gave him access to the power."

"I know many things child."

Unable to stop myself as I know Rita, Goldar, and Zordon must all be thinking the same thing now, I am however the first one to voice those thoughts. "If you knew he was bonded to me why did you let him have access to the power?"

Scowling and almost seeming offended by my inquiry, the warrior shakes her head before responding sternly. "You think too little of yourself and of his strength."

"I think I was and still am a fairly dangerous creature where power is concerned," I state, finding myself bristling not so much at her assumption of me, but rather her accusation that I think too little of the human beside me. "If I'd known he was bonded to me back then and was able to get hold of him and his power-"

"Any creature is dangerous when given enough power young lord. A hamster is dangerous when given enough power. I would however hope you would have slightly more self-control and intellect than a hamster."

Snickering, Goldar can't seem to help himself at her statement as his own is more muttered to himself than anyone else. "That's debatable at times."

Left with nothing else to say as she has now compared me to a hamster and no one it seems is about to argue, I stand somewhat speechless as she returns her focus on the reason we called her.

"Come forward, young one."

Hesitantly, Thomas releases my hand and approaches the console. After a minute, he mimics her stance, resting his hands on the console before him.

"Call me a hamster." Muttering to myself, but keeping a close eye on Thomas, I wait to see what they'll do still not clear on how she is going to assess him.

Waiting and watching as Dulcea studies him in silence for several minutes, tilting her head in an odd way. She taps her finger on the console before her in an odd pattern - three taps, one tap, two taps, a pause and she repeats it. Thomas tilts his head as well, listening, possibly getting some meaning from it. A quick glance around and it seems nobody else is getting anything out of it either. That is, until Thomas does it back. Dulcea smiles slightly and changes the rhythm, which he also repeats. Another change and he returns this one also. I look at the others, seeing that everyone is puzzled - except Pina, it would seem.

She wears a knowing smile, as does the Keeper of the Powers. Dulcea turns her attention away from the former Black Ranger and turns to my companion. "Do you understand?"

Grinning, Pina nods. "I think so."

Satisfied, Dulcea turns back to Thomas. "Do not lose hope, young Falcon, and do not lose faith. It will take time."

He nods and steps back beside me as she speaks again. This time, it's apparent her words are meant mostly for Zordon and Rita. "You wanted my opinion based on what I know and here it is. Leave him as he is. Things are developing as they should - at their own pace - and any magical interference will upset that. For both of them."

Rita opens her mouth, but shuts it again when the Keeper speaks again, sternly. "Leave him be."

I'm relieved when Rita's shoulders drop in defeat and Zordon disconnects the call after thanking her for her time and input.

Everyone exits the ship and I can feel Thomas' relief as strongly as my own, not to mention I can see it on Pina and even Dar. Somehow, I'm not surprised when Rita speaks. "Well, if there is nothing we can do then there is very little point in staying."

Under my breath, I make a comment about someone being a sore loser, earning me grins from Pina and Dar, frowns from Rita and Zordon and an elbow in the ribs from Thomas. "Be nice," he hisses apparently not in the mood for another battle to break out between myself and our company.

Before I can respond, Zordon adds his thoughts. "Of course, if you should need us, we will absolutely help. I will make sure that my people know that you all are priority calls."

I still don't care for him, but for Thomas' sake I accept the proverbial olive branch he's offering. "Thank you, Zordon."

"I think, then, that we have infringed on your patience long enough. We'll be leaving shortly." The pair of do-gooders head to their ship and shortly depart, sighs of relief escaping all around.

Only once we're certain they are gone do I relax and move back as Jason turns to Thomas. "I meant to tell you, I have some things for you - presents from the kids. But I think that they will keep until tomorrow, don't you?"

"The kids? Oh, my students. Yeah, it'll keep." He yawns hugely. "I get the feeling I shouldn't be this tired, but I'm dead on my feet."

"I noticed. Maybe we should all turn in, it's been a long day." The former Red's suggestion is much appreciated as I myself could use a rest after the power I expended this afternoon and the stress that having Zordon and Rita here has caused me.

"I think that's a good idea, bro. Do you want me to help make you and Andros up a room?"

"I think we'll be okay on the ship." Smiling at my nod of agreement, not wishing to really put them out, but not overly comfortable with the idea of them unsupervised in the castle, I'm relieved that Jason however has suggested their sleeping outside its walls. "We'll see you first thing in the morning."

"If you're sure." Seeming less pleased than I am with this idea, Thomas however in the end seems too tired to argue it much. "I'll see you in the morning, Jase, Andros."

"Promise," The former Red Ranger assuring him with a hug, before he follows Andros back onto the ship, leaving the four of us to our own devices once more.

"I hate having company," Unable to help my grumble as we follow Thomas back to the castle, I shake my head realizing that this is really why we usually don't. My whole day has been thrown off and I'm not in the best of moods due to it, add in the fact that I now have to share my time with Thomas with his other friends and I will reluctantly admit I am not pleased with the notion.

"I'm company," Thomas' statement bringing my out of my thoughts, it takes me a minute to realize what he's said before I without thinking reply.

"No you're not."

"How am I not?" He immediately heads for the stairs and I start to follow, pausing when I recall that there is still work to be done. Dar waves me on however and he and Pina turn toward the kitchen.

I follow my Ranger upstairs, replying as I do. "I don't know, you're just not. It's different."

"Whatever you say," Expecting him to go to his room to change clothes, he however takes me by surprise as he heads straight for mine not even bothering to brush his teeth let alone change into something more comfortable to sleep in.

Unable to stop him before he lays down on the bed, I heave a sigh, rather tired myself. "Come, Thomas. You'll rest better without the boots on."

He mumbles something that I barely hear, even with my excellent hearing. "Don't care. Too tired." Of course it doesn't help his face is buried in my pillow.

Sighing, I move over to his side of the bed, speaking as I reach for his boots. "I'm going to take your boots off of you, Thomas. Not only will you rest better, but it will keep the bed from getting dirty." I continue to speak so that he stays relaxed while I remove his boots. Deciding I'm too exhausted myself to bother trying to undress his near unconscious form, I manage to get him settled under the covers before moving to my side of the bed, changing clothes and climbing into the bed myself.

"Good night, Thomas." Putting the light out and settling myself into a comfortable position I am nearly asleep when Thomas starts moving around. Hell, not another nightmare, not tonight. About to comfort him, I'm thrown for a loop as he curls up against me and sighs in contentment. "Thomas?" Getting no response other than him softly muttering my name followed by the even breathing of sleep, I can't help grinning hugely as I slip my arm around him and in minutes fall asleep as well.