TOMMY
I continue to work as I think about what Zedd's said. He doesn't want to break the bond, but is that because he wants the bond or because he fears what could happen if we try? He wants us to have a relationship and be mates. He did protect me when I needed it and, apparently, realizes now that I don't need it. Of course, I have a strong protective streak of my own - thus the lack of enough sleep these last several days.
Which reminds me, I need to get a fresh pot of coffee made so that I can stay up one more night. If any of them are going to relapse, it'll probably be tonight as I know that they all pushed themselves this morning. I yawn as I ready the pot and my thoughts return to something else that Zedd said.
It's definitely not a good idea to let him come back to Earth with me. Never mind his temper and - in his words - dislike of many of my species, I have no idea how long I'll need to be there and he can't put his business on hold indefinitely. But who else could take me? God only knows what Andros might have to deal with, Dar helps Zedd with the business as does Pina as well as the fact that she's their doctor.
Which reminds me of another concern. While I have to go back to deal with stuff, I have no idea what all I'll be exposed to that could make them sick again. Maybe a quarantine when I get back?
I start scrubbing the counter and stove while I wait for the coffee to finish. I know he said that he's been miserable since I've blocked him, and I do feel bad about that. It wasn't my intention to punish him or make him worse off than he already was with the flu, but I can't unblock him right now. If I do, he'll lose what little sanity he has when he realizes how exhausted I am and how much pain I'm actually in. Not to mention I'm sure it will only set back in motion his desire to question me, at least where my health is concerned. No, it'll just have to wait until after I've gotten some sleep. Then maybe I can at least let him back in a bit. Snickering to myself, I pour myself a cup of coffee, down it quickly before refilling my own cup and filling cups for them. I load everything on a tray - almost forgetting the sugar for Pina - as well as some cut fruit for dessert.
I take a breath and head back into the dining room to retrieve the dishes. "Had enough?" They all nod and I note that every container is mostly empty. I grin. "Well, it's a good thing I ate already or there might not have been enough for me. I'm glad that you guys liked it so much."
I start stacking dishes as I continue. "I hope that you guys aren't upset, but I didn't make a dessert like you're used to. I don't make this often but usually, when I make this, because it's so filling I just have some fresh fruit for dessert."
"That's fine" Pina assures me quickly.
"Fruit's a nice change of pace every once in a while" Zedd agrees with a nod.
I make three quick trips to the kitchen, clearing the table as I reassure them that I don't need any help. I bring the tray in and set it on the table. I hand Zedd and Dar their coffee and set the bowl of fruit on the table, allowing them to help themselves. When I go to hand Pina her cup and the sugar, there's a twinge in my back that makes me unintentionally hiss in pain.
"Are you all right?" Pina asks concerned.
"Yeah, I'm all right. I just stretched wrong." God I hope I didn't pull something earlier today.
"My offer still stands, Thomas, to work out the knots." And somehow I think that he's offering more than that… Nice to know that he's feeling that much better. Still though I have things to do tonight and I have a feeling that if I let him help how he wants they won't get done.
"Or I have something that will ease the discomfort," Pina offers. I know that neither of these is a good idea, as getting comfortable will lead to me falling asleep.
"Guys, I'm okay. I'm just a little sore, that's all. Go ahead and finish your meal while I finish the kitchen and these other dishes. When you're done, go get showers, get comfortable and relax for a while before you go back to sleep."
I go back into the kitchen and rub a spot on my back, easing the worst of it slightly before I return to my chores and my thoughts. Well, kind of. After all, I can't give thoughts about my relationship with Zedd the proper attention when it's all I can do to think at all. Instead, a nearly forgotten tidbit of information pops into my head - Jason's attraction to Hayley.
I've considered Hayley like a little sister almost since we've met. She was my rock when my parents died - well, until Jason showed up and even then, they shared the load of caring for me and helping me. As much as I miss them sometimes, I'm very glad that they were gone before the island lab incident. But back to my other thoughts - Hayley and Jason would make a great couple. Her brains and his physical nature - they'd balance each other perfectly.
Hmm - bro and sis together? I get the feeling that if they ever had a fight, I'd be very happy to be off planet, that's for sure, because I have no doubt that I'd end up in the middle of every battle. And Powers help the world if and when they have kids.
Chuckling to myself at this thought, I retrieve the last of the dishes from the now empty dining room. I finish as quickly as I can, drinking two more cups of coffee in the process. I know I need a shower, not only because of necessity, but to ease the muscles in my back. The problem is - once again - if I get too comfortable, I'll fall asleep. I can sleep tomorrow while they work.
I sigh as I realize that Zedd will probably expect me to be in bed with him tonight. And he's not going to be happy when he finds out that I'm not going to be. Never mind that I'm staying up to keep an eye on them, but I still could be infected and they don't need to get it again so soon. Hopefully, he'll understand - even if he doesn't like it.
