TWO DAYS LATER - TOMMY

I wake up with a start. I'm not sure what woke me at first until I turn over and see Zedd drying his hair and muttering to himself about split ends. He's half dressed, pants riding low on his hips and small drops of water that he missed glistening on his chest. For a moment, I have the insane urge to lick those small drops off his skin. Well, not so insane, I guess, since we're together - though after how I've been treating him lately I suppose it would at least border on unexpected.

Zedd pulls the towel off his head, hair seeming fine from my point of view, before he sees me watching him and smiles at me. The tender tone in his voice is unfamiliar as he says, "Finally. I was starting to think I'd never see those beautiful eyes of yours again." Okay so it's clear, lack of sex, combined with the flu, plus cutting him off from the bond for a few days makes him as mushy as any of my past girlfriends.

In fairness though there were a few times I did wake up for food, I seemed to have missed him every time though and I was far too tired to seek him out. Settling instead for quickly downing the snacks and drinks he left by the bed for me before passing back out into my wonderful sleep.

Deciding to throw him a bone, especially after what a jerk I was to him the last time we did really talk, the bath incident aside, I hold my hand out to him. Seeming relieved he comes and sits next to me on the bed, takes my hand and kisses it. "Sorry, Zedd, but if it helps at all, I feel much better, and I promise my moodiness is all but back to normal."

He runs his fingers through my no doubt messy hair. "I'm very glad you're feeling better. As for being moody, I'm a bit moody myself when going a week without sleep as well. Why don't you get a shower and then we'll go down for dinner?"

"Sounds good." I stretch and climb out of bed. "I'd kiss you, but I have no doubt that I have some really nasty morning breath." I grab a change of clothes and head into the bathroom. While the shower heats up, I brush my teeth and take care of other business. Ten minutes later, I'm out of the shower and contemplating shaving before eating. My gaze strays to my reflection in the mirror and I sigh. I'm going to need a haircut soon too. I make my decision and grab the razor.

A few minutes later, I exit the bathroom to find Zedd waiting for me. Without hesitating, I cross over to him and kiss him gently. He returns my kisses for a few minutes before he rests his forehead on mine. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too." I'm about to steal another kiss when my stomach rumbles - very loudly. "Jeez - how long has it been since I ate?"

"About ten hours or so, according to Dar. That was about the last time he came up to refill the water glass by the bed and take the empty plate away. Let's go get you some food and we can return to this later, perhaps?"

"That sounds like a plan," I agree.

We head down to the kitchen, hand in hand. A thought crosses my mind and I can't help but laugh quietly. Zedd inquires, "Care to let me in on the joke, Thomas?"

"If someone had told me a year ago - hell, two months ago - that I'd be living with, holding hands with, and having the great evil Lord Zedd as my lover, I would have had them committed to the insane asylum."

"Former evil," he reminds me. I incline my head in agreement as he continues. "And now what do you think?"

I consider the question carefully. "If I knew then what I know now, I think that I'd have tried to find a way to contact you then so that we didn't have to deal with all my issues - physical and mental. At least that way, I'd have felt like we started out more equal."

He nods slowly, obviously not liking my choice of words, but understanding the meaning behind it. "Now that you are more yourself, Thomas, I have no doubt that things will balance out. You do know that despite how damaged you were when I first retrieved you that I never considered you less than my equal though, yes?"

"I know, but I didn't see me as that Zedd. Now that I'm getting better it's easier for me to accept. I just have to figure out who I am now is all."

"What?" Stopping and looking at me with clear confusion, he shakes his head. "I don't know what you mean."

I sigh. "Zedd, thanks to being shot in the head, I'm no longer the man that I once was. I'm not a Ranger, not a teacher, not a researcher. Aside from regaining as much as I can of what I've lost, I have no real purpose. And, no offense, but being your bond mate and lover isn't quite enough."

"Thomas, you're getting ahead of yourself. Once you relearn what you need to, we'll find out what interests you now and work from there. Truthfully, there are a number of things that you can do around here that could be extremely helpful if researching and instructing no longer holds your attention."

Giving him a highly doubtful look, I nevertheless bite. "Like what?"

He shrugs. "Work in the garden, share kitchen duties with Dar, be a liaison to Earth for us since Dar hates dealing with that planet." Oh yeah, really purposeful, household chores and being a messenger to Earth. "And before you say anything, I already know what you're thinking as I can see the look on your face. I was just mentioning those things, just for starters. Again, you are not here for my pleasure and entertainment, Thomas. I want you to be happy too. We'll figure it out. Besides, while you may not be entirely the man you were before, there is still much of yourself that you have retained, and what's new about you, well I like that as well as I like the old you."

"I suppose so." As I really don't want to get into any real deep thinking right now, I let the subject drop. When we reach the dining room, I'm not real surprised to see only three places set. After all, how would they know that I'm up - at least for the meal?

Zedd pushes open the kitchen door in time for me to hear Pina say, "Probably tomorrow." As she catches sight of me, she smiles and says, "Well look whose back among the living."

"Hello to you too," I greet her in return. The aroma in the kitchen causes my stomach to growl again and almost painfully. Dar tosses me a biscuit as Pina scoops up some dishes and heads for the dining room. I'm so hungry I almost inhale the morsel.

"Go sit, brat, so you're out of our way to bring in the food."

"I can help," I answer eagerly.

"Not if I want it to make it to the table," he grumbles. True - too true. "Now go on."

Quickly, I get out of the way and it's not all that long before we're all eating. After a few minutes, Zedd addresses Pina. "So probably tomorrow what?"

"We'd be able to put Tommy's schedule into action."

"That would be great, but I still don't have a weapon to work with," I point out. "Unless someone wants to loan me one."

"We have plenty of extra weapons that you could practice with, Tommy." Pina assures me, though for some reason using their extra weaponry isn't as appealing to me as the thought of having my own. Maybe it's all my time spent as a Ranger, I'm used to my own weapon, the same as I'm sure each of them is.

"Actually, we have already gotten you a basic staff," Dar informs me before looking to Pina. "That's what I went to retrieve this morning when I left the planet for a bit."

"So you found one that's suitable?" she questions for some reason looking oddly concerned.

"I did. Zedd checked it over a bit ago. It'll take some practice, but it'll be workable for him." Turning back to me, Dar continues seriously. "It's very similar in weight and balance to Zedd's since you seemed to like it so much. And it's not quite as flashy since it is designed more for combat than just power use."

"Awesome! I can't wait! Can I see it after dinner?"

"Maybe" Dar continues seriously, looking to Zedd now. "There are certain rules that go with this weapon that Zedd needs to explain to you."

"I know how to use a staff, I've used them in demonstrations and competitions before" I state, a tad annoyed that they don't think I could handle such a basic weapon.

"Not like this one you haven't" Dar says sternly. "This is not just a combat staff, Tommy. It's a power staff, like Zedd's. And as reluctant as I was to acquire it for you, Zedd seems to think it was the best choice. However, as I said there are rules that go with it. Right Zedd?"

Taken by surprise at this new information I turn to look at Zedd. "You got me a staff like yours?"

"Not exactly," Zedd begins setting his fork down and giving me his full attention. "It's not nearly as powerful as mine, and right now it doesn't actually hold any power in it. You have to regain your ability to access the great power first, then you can use the staff to harness it without having to morph as you normally would. As Goldar said though, there are rules that go with you having this and I need your word you will follow them as I'm already going to hear about it when Zordon finds out I gave such a thing to you."

Recalling Zordon's rules for using our powers in the past, I give a nod. "Right, don't use it for personal gain, only access the power when in battle, don't let anyone know I have such power." I tick off the old rules I would know even in my sleep before Zedd suddenly interrupts me.

"No, actually let everyone know you have such power, make certain they know you know how to use it and will use it should they feel the need to challenge you as it should prevent an actual battle from starting, and for hell's sake you will use it every day while practicing how to use it with me. This isn't a morphing device Thomas, you don't use it briefly and not touch it again until the next battle. You have to practice using a power staff or it will end up harming you as you could get careless and not know exactly how much power you're using or when you're using it."

"If it's that dangerous, why are you giving it to me?"

"Because you expressed a great interest in the thought that you might be able to use my staff, and because we want you to be safe. If anything happens to us, this way I know you'll be protected. You can't morph as you used to, and while you do seem to be on the path to regaining access to the power Dulcea granted you, one day it may not be enough. With this you'll be able to practice and hone that power and make it stronger." That does make sense, but still…

"Why will Zordon be mad?"

Sighing Zedd exchanges looks with the others before answering me slowly. "Because despite you having a good bit of experience holding powers and having access to a very old type of power, very few beings, even ones connected to the grid are allowed to hold such things as these staffs. The only reason Dar was able to even acquire it so quickly is because we keep an eye on the few places I can get a new one should something happen to mine."

"Also as you know his rules about holding power differ greatly from the ones Zedd just gave you" Dar adds calmly.

"So once I get my powers back, I can learn to use this staff like yours?"

"With practice" Zedd agrees. "However your power will be different than mine, yours won't really be light or dark, I'm also not sure exactly what all you'll be able to do or how much power you'll have, I'll have to wait until you have access to them again to assess you."

Suddenly, I feel the pull again - another thing that I'm very glad didn't happen while they were sick.

"Thomas? What is it?" Zedd sounds anxious.

Before I can answer, Pina does - but her voice sounds strange - almost strained. "He's being called again. Aren't you?" I nod and she nods in return. "I am too."

"What?" Dar asks, stunned. "That's never happened before."

"No, it hasn't," she agrees. "Tommy, go get some shoes and a jacket. I'm going to go get my pack. Dar, please get food and water. I'm not sure how long we'll be gone."

"But it's getting dark" Zedd protests, even as the call is getting stronger.

"I'll take care of him, Zedd. Go get him his staff."

"But he hasn't even had time to-"

"Zedd you want him to be safe and become familiar with it, get it" Pina snaps.

I've already pushed my chair back and stood up. Pina and I head for the door to get ready, leaving our two puzzled mates behind. Just before we separate, Pina says, "Do you still have Zedd blocked out?"

"Yes."

"Until we know what's going on and why, keep it that way. I know that he doesn't like it, but a few more hours won't make that much of a difference." I nod and head upstairs. I'll bet anything that we'll have to practically order Zedd and Dar to stay behind.

It's not long before Pina and I are in the kitchen, ready to go. Somehow, I'm not at all surprised to see that her sword is strapped to her back. Unfortunately, this has caused some concern in the other two. "Pina, please let us go with you," Dar pleads. "If you think that you'll need your sword-"

She cuts him off, voice stern. "Goldar, Zeddic - stay here. Neither of you would be safe where we're going. Never mind the dark power that Zedd still holds, neither of you are in touch with your animal spirit and that's what's calling me and Tommy."

As they are both about to protest, I put my two cents worth in. "We'll take care of each other as neither one of us wants to face the mate of the other if something were to go wrong. Dar, if you doubt my ability to take care of Pina, why don't you ask Zedd about the day he had her pinned by her throat in the infirmary?"

Pina and I take advantage of their momentary distraction and slip out the door. Silently, we head for the tree line, but once we cross it she says, "That wasn't very nice, you know."

"But effective. It got us out of there without any further argument." She has no answer for this as we head deeper into the woods.