ZEDD
Looking at the damage and to the still stunned human, I shake my head wearily. He's going to be an unintentional threat until he gets his power and emotions under control, that much is clear. I just hadn't realized how much of one it would be until now.
While I still feel bad about what happened while I was apparently asleep, I know as well as he does that it's no one's fault. Although I should have probably made him put his weapon down while I explained myself. Still though it was at least a mostly harmless way to access the amount of power he now has, and he clearly has more than I first thought. I'm going to have to tread carefully should he wish to know anything else about my past that may upset him, such as the part I'd just revealed, the part that I'd hoped to leave dead and buried - well, one of many really.
"I did that."
"You did that" I agree, knowing that while he wanted to do something to avenge my honor, destroying a chunk of a turret was probably not it. I almost wish that he could do something about it though, if for no other reason than it would make him feel better, as believe it or not his outrage has actually made me feel a bit better. His anger on my behalf, while destructive, pleases me - not to mention the possessive and protective language. For some odd reason, it makes me feel - secure, safe.
First though - I cross slowly over to my stunned Ranger and gently take the staff from him. "Now, Thomas - you can rant and rave and carry on all you want, I'll just hold this for you while you do."
Apparently, however, the destruction has changed his mood. "Whoa. I didn't realize that I could do that." To be honest neither did I, though he really doesn't need to know that right now. He looks at me. "You said that this staff wasn't as powerful as yours. If mine can do that, what can yours do?"
Studying him carefully and only really seeing curiosity and interest in his eyes, not a sudden power hungry drive, I decide to answer him honestly, though still a bit cautiously. "Once upon a time, I could have leveled the entire castle if I'd wanted to. Now, not so much."
"Because of Zordon?"
"Partly. I had centuries to enhance and refine my power, to make it a part of who I was. When he tried to perform his stupid self-sacrifice, despite my level of power his was still greater, and he burned a good bit of it out of me. That combined with the actual physical harm done to me from it, even if I had the same amount of power I had before I wouldn't be able to control it as I used to."
"What's the other part?"
"I don't have the same…issues, I guess you'd say, that I had before. The anger and drive that made me crave the power in the first place was a good bit of why I became so skilled in it so fast. I'm not denying that I still have temper and still lack a bit of impulse control now and again, but it's nothing like it used to be when I was still young." Smiling slightly and giving him a look I can't help but poke at him just a bit. "Like you for instance."
"I'm hardly a kid anymore" he snorts back, but seems to relent as he sets his hand on my chest. "I'm sorry I got so upset, Zedd. Like I said, I know you can't control what you dream about and you've called for me in your sleep before. It just - blindsided me, you know?"
Slowly, I pull him close and wrap my arms around him. "I think I would be equally upset if you called out anyone's name but mine. And while I can't promise to never slip up again while asleep it's a mistake that I can guarantee that will never happen while I'm awake." I look into his eyes. "When I'm awake and we're together, there is no thought of anyone in my mind but you."
"It's the same way for me," he admits quietly. "I didn't mean to get jealous like that, I just…I don't know, you're mine damn it."
Smiling at his words I give a nod of agreeance. "Remember, Thomas, I told you that I've never bonded before. You are, and always will be, the most important person in my life, and yes I am yours, I promise."
"Not to break up this really touching moment," Dar cuts in "but I think we've found Tommy a purpose - at least for a little while." He states gesturing to the mess on the lawn and then the turret.
The man I'm currently holding looks at him. "Yeah. I didn't mean to do it, but I'll definitely fix it. Since I have access to the great power now, that means that Pina doesn't have to take me for walks in the woods so I guess I can use that time to repair the tower."
We can all hear the disappointment in his voice. Pina shakes her head. "That's not the only reason I was going to take you out there, Tommy. If you're going to be living here, you need to know more about the planet you're living on. Besides, I like having company on my walks and I think that you'd enjoy it much more than these two."
"Of that, I have no doubt," I agree. "He does seem to be more - nature minded than either Dar or I am." Damn snakes.
"We can shorten our planned time out for a while," Pina suggests. "For today, we'll skip it so that you and Dar can assess the damage and find out what all needs to be done. Zedd and I will get on with our usual work if you feel you've had enough, um, 'practice' with your staff for the morning."
Snickering as he blushes now, I'm not surprised as he agrees with her. "Yeah, I think maybe my next lesson can wait until we at least check out the damage and I'm a bit less emotional. Besides I'm sure you guys do have work to take care of after the time you lost yesterday, so you and Zedd go do what you need to and we'll figure out what needs to be fixed and how."
I'd much rather spend the time reassuring my mate that he is, in fact, the only one that I care about now. Unfortunately, Pina and he are right and there is work to be done - especially as I only have about a week left on the most current contract. If things go as planned, however, I should have the desired item in a few days. "Fine but we're coming to get you for lunch, you are mostly healed from yesterday but expending that much power and still given the trauma you endured just a few hours ago you can't push yourself too much right now."
"I'm sure Dar won't let us work through lunch." Giving me a kiss he takes his staff back. "I'll be fine, a little physical labor will help burn off the last of my energy." I can think of better physical activities than him moving rubble, but still.
Reluctantly releasing him we all go our separate ways. "Fine but if you get tired I want you to take a break . Remember you promised me I could be protective of you until you're fully healed and I'm holding you to it right now."
Rolling his eyes he at least gives me an appeasing nod. "Fine, if I faint you can say you told me so." I am not amused by this even if Dar seems to be as he follows Thomas back inside.
About an hour into my day, I'm caught by surprise when Dar appears in my office. "Come on. The brat needs you."
In a moment, I'm following Dar up to the tower, not completely distressed since he seems mostly calm, but still worried enough considering he came and got me instead of just bringing Thomas to me if it was nothing urgent. "What happened?"
"He's having more memories return and by how long he's been like this, I'd say it's one hell of a lot." I can hear the concern in my friend's voice now, though I do realize why he's not panicked, as while unpleasant, Thomas having these episodes are a sign of him healing.
When we reach the tower, I find Thomas curled up on the floor, arms wrapped around his head and breathing very heavily against the pain he's in. Swiftly, I cross over to him. "I'm here, Thomas." I pull him into my arms, knowing that there's nothing I can do to help him, but hoping that my presence will help him all the same. His face is twisted in pain, not unlike it was last night when we had to set his arm.
My heart aches for him as he begs, "Please make it stop. I can't do this anymore."
"I wish I could." Lightly, I stroke his hair wondering how long this will in fact last. "Hang on, Thomas, it'll be over soon. You just have to ride it out, mate."
"I can't. I can't anymore. Knock me out or something, Zedd, please! I promise I'll forgive you if you'll just do it!"
I shoot a look at Dar and he disappears to get Pina. "Dar's gone to get Pina. She should have something that will help."
I can't help but wonder if this will set off another of his migraines or if the spell was causing them. Of course, he has me blocked so that I don't feel his pain, but if he can't maintain the block when a migraine does strike…I push that away to deal with later. Instead, I return my attention to soothing the nearly sobbing man in my arms.
It seems like an eternity later when Dar reappears with Pina in tow. "Hang on, Tommy." She scans him quickly and then curses in our native language. "Tommy there's nothing I can do. I'm sorry, you've just got to hold on as best you can. It should be over soon."
"Can't you sedate him or something?" I demand, almost in a repeat of what I'd said last night when he was hurting so badly.
"No. The powers are working to undo the damage that he suffered - among other things. I can't stop it and drugging him won't do anything but prolong it. The powers are in overkill right now trying to correct the damage and will just strip it out of his system. Unfortunately, they're also keeping him conscious. Trying to knock him out by force will only succeed in hurting him."
I hold him closer, as if I could absorb his pain if I hold him tightly enough. "I'm sorry, Thomas. There's nothing we can do." Something else Pina's said clicks in my mind. "What do you mean - among other things?"
"Like I said last night, he's evolving. My guess is that his species isn't strong enough to hold raw power. Until now he's always had a buffering device to help, and when he retrieved the great power before it was dampened by his White Ranger powers. This time there was no buffer or external power to help and realizing he wasn't physically suitable to hold the power now without doing damage to himself it's altering him to make him able to. In short he's becoming more like us. I won't know for sure what all has been changed until it's over, but-"
"But right now it doesn't matter." Pina and Dar sit close by, all of us waiting for my mate's torment to end.
