ZEDD

"So you learned it from your first college roommate? So it's an Earth language?"

"Sort of, but not exactly, it's a language not a lot of humans know." Not very fond of the cryptic reply, I wait expectantly for him to elaborate feeling a bit frustrated when he doesn't. Leaving the language matter aside for now, I focus on the other bit of his statement.

"So this roommate, it was one of your Ranger friends?"

"No."

"Some friend from your high school then."

"Nope." Really? Almost certain he is giving me one word replies to simply tease and aggravate me now I do my best not to play into his game, but I can't help the surge of jealousy, in spite of the fact that I know I'm the first to have had him.

"So if he wasn't one of your friends or a Ranger, why did you live with him?"

Apparently, Thomas has caught my emotional state when he rolls his eyes. "Zedd, we shared living space only and we did that because where I went to college, they required first year students to live on campus in the dorms. I actually lived in the dorms for three years to stretch my money though. After all, I wasn't racing as much anymore and-"

"Wait - you weren't what?" In spite of his good physical conditioning, I don't feel like running would really be his thing.

Smirking now, he shakes his head. "I'm a little surprised, Zedd. I'd have thought you would have been digging into my past by now. Between your and Dar's contacts, I would think that you'd know my whole life story at this point." He sounds amused rather than irritated at the fact that now that I think on it I did sort of - what's the human term - drop the ball on this one.

"You could just tell me, Thomas." When it looks like he's not going to comply and given the fact that I really do wish to know now, I try a different approach. "After all I'd much rather hear about it from you."

He smirks at me again then turns and heads for the castle, tossing a comment over his shoulder. "Nah. What's life without a little mystery? I think there's still a little time to work on my lessons. Don't you, Dar?"

Dar shrugs at me, apparently having no idea what's going on inside my mate's head either. He follows Thomas inside. Pina shakes her head. "I think he's just dealing with the adrenaline rush again, Zedd. It seems like he often ends up in unusually good spirits afterwards. Between that and, as he said, able to truly be equal and help us-"

"Equal, hell. Pina, you and I both know what would have happened if he hadn't happened to be hiding where he was."

She nods soberly. "He saved us all today - both by being at the right place at the right time and by his knowledge of that language, whatever it was."

I frown. "He has seemed to go out of his way to avoid telling us what language that was. I wonder why?"

"I have no doubt that Dar will find out. If not, you can try again later. In the meantime, I have some messages to respond to - as I'm sure you do."

"I suppose, though the last thing I'm really in the mood for now is more work."

"Me neither, but the sooner we handle it the sooner we can both relax with our mates for the evening." This is true, and with the idea of having a peaceful night with Thomas in mind now, I think I can manage handling a bit more work before dinner.

A few hours later, we're all gathered in the kitchen. Pina, like myself, stopped work early and are keeping our mates company in the kitchen as they make dinner. "So, Thomas, how are you doing with your language lessons?"

Much to my surprise Dar answers me as Thomas grins. "He's already almost halfway through the second set of disks. If he continues at this rate, I may put him to work soon. With two of us making contacts and doing research, I think that things will go much smoother and faster."

"Especially if we let him handle any orders relating to Ranger inhabited planets" I agree.

"I don't mind helping, but I might be busy for a bit." Finishing up the salads he was preparing, Thomas looks to us calmly. "Like I said before I want to be useful and I will try my best to help with your business, unless I decide to go back to my old research" Thomas comments. "Maybe if I go back and revisit some of my old theories, I might find something out to help the kids and right now I think they need more help then you guys do."

"I thought you weren't interested in researching anymore" I ask, surprised.

"I never said that, Zedd. What I said was that I had no business researching anymore. That's not the same. I might decide to start new research, learn some new languages, who knows?" He looks thoughtful for a moment, hands stilling as he thinks. Dar continues working, but all of us are waiting expectantly.

Quietly, so as not to disrupt his train of thought, Pina asks, "What is it, Tommy?"

He speaks slowly, thinking out loud. "I haven't heard or spoken that language in years, but today it came as easily as if I'd just spoken it yesterday. My memory was always iffy at best if I didn't find ways to remind myself or didn't study constantly. Learning the language in the first place was really difficult, but now it's like I've always known it." He pauses for a minute. "What if- What if Rita's spell was hampering my ability to learn and remember? It's something I thought about before. What am I capable of now that the spell is gone?"

"That might be part of it," Pina agrees. "But some of it might also be due to the changes that you've gone through because of the powers changing you. I told you that it would affect your memory and intelligence as you'd be able to use and access more of your brain's capacity."

He grins. "In that case, I can't wait to find out." He returns to the meal preparation when my communication cuff goes off. I glance at the information and frown.

Standing abruptly I know I have all three now looking at me in concern, but unfortunately I don't have time to really explain myself, as if this is serious I need to find out about it immediately. "I'll be back." I head for my office, hoping that things won't be too serious even as I can hear Thomas ask the other two what just happened and if something is wrong.

Unfortunately, it is. I enter the kitchen half an hour later, dreading the news I have to give. The door hasn't even closed behind me before I have everyone's attention. I take a breath. "There's a problem with one of my people. I have to leave the planet for a while and I need to take Pina with me." I look at her. In reality I really should be taking both her and Dar, however the thought of leaving Thomas here alone is not one I can bring myself to deal with right now. "We'll need to leave after dinner and I'm not sure how long we'll be gone. I'll give you details on the way."

Dar sighs. "Go get your things together while Tommy and I finish dinner. Which ship are you taking?"

I know it surprises him when I say, "Pina's." Both of them know that the only reason for taking Pina's ship is because hers is outfitted with more medical equipment than any of the others.

Dar sighs again. "All right. Once dinner is ready, I'll go run a quick check on the systems so that it's ready to go when you are."

I nod and Pina and I swiftly head for our rooms. Not entirely sure how long we'll be gone, I pack enough clothes for a couple of days. I'm not happy about having to leave Thomas but this is one of my better contacts and if she's in as much trouble as I think she is I can't just turn my back on her. Unfortunately, this is one of the places that would not be good for his health - well, that or my business if he's forced to defend himself.

Making fast work of my packing as all I really need are the few changes of clothing as well as some weapons, just in case, I make my way quickly to the hanger, feeling more than a bit guilty as I recall my promise to not leave Thomas here without me when I'd first rescued him. "He'll be all right, it's just for a few days, he can do this."

My pep talk not helping much as I drop my bags in the hangar where Dar's already started the checks on Pina's ship, I pull his attention away from his work for a minute, still unable to shake my worry. "Listen, Dar I need-"

His voice is gruff, but sincere. "Don't worry, Zedd. I'll take care of him while you're gone. Although he doesn't really need much taking care of anymore." Maybe not where defending himself is concerned, however given his more recent nightmares I'm almost certain I will come back to find him more than a bit sleep deprived. "Make sure that you and Pina take care of each other."

"I will but…I feel guilty doing this. I know he's gotten better, but given the events of the last few days…"

"He'll be all right, Zedd. He understands why you have to do this. He may not know any of the details, but the fact that you have to go help someone in trouble is something he won't fault you for doing."

"He should take priority though" I argue weakly, knowing my unease is mostly due to our sudden intimacy strengthening the bond, but unable to convince myself fully of it.

"Zedd, if you stay because you don't trust he'll be able to handle this and she suffers because of it, he will not forgive you or himself, and neither will you." I know he's right and I feel myself cave to his logic. "Zeddic, I give you my word I will not let anything harm him, just as you won't let anything harm Pina."

"I won't" I agree.

"I know. I wouldn't be staying here if I didn't."

I nod and head for the kitchen. Pina and I eat quickly while Thomas is doing something in the kitchen and Dar finishes up in the hanger. Once done, I call out, "Thomas, we're ready to go."

He comes in carrying a box. "Dar said to get you guys some food together in case you're gone longer than you think." Seeing the slight concern on his face I'm about to question it when he continues. "Though I'd think you'd be able to have food on Pina's ship like we had on yours."

"We will, but we won't be staying on the ship very much, and what they have to eat on this planet…a lot of it doesn't agree with our taste." In reality it's mostly down right revolting, but he doesn't need to know that.

"Oh, okay, well I made you guys some sandwiches and there's some snack food and pie, along with a few bottles of water."

Pina takes the box from him. "Thank you, Tommy. Be good while we're gone, all right? Don't drive my mate too crazy" she teases with a smile.

"I'll try my best, but no promises."

"Fair enough." Giving him a hug, she checks the box once more before nodding and heading for the door. "Zedd, I'll see you in the hangar."

Nodding I turn to Thomas, pulling him close and knowing I don't have much time as we need to leave before night falls completely. "I'm sorry, Thomas, but this is one of my best contacts and she needs a little help. I wouldn't go if I thought there was any other way."

"As long as you're just going to help her and not for any other reason," he smirks at me. I kiss him lightly, not letting it develop into anything more. Softly, he says, "It's okay, if she needs help you need to help her, you're doing a good thing, the right thing. Just come home safe and soon, Zedd."

"You're not going to come see me off?"

"No, I hate goodbyes - even if it's only for a short while. But I promise, the hello you get when you come back will be worth it."

"I'll hold you to that." Still feeling badly about the entire matter I turn to go, only to stop abruptly as I recall what Dar had promised me. "Thomas if you need anything, anything at all Dar will-"

"I know, I know he'll help with whatever I need. It's fine, I'll be fine, honest."

"I'll bring you back a present."

Smiling and shaking his head, he gives me a gentle but purposeful shove toward the door. "Go Zedd. The sooner you go, the sooner you can come back. That's present enough."

"Yes, but-"

Looking at me sternly, he points at the door. "Don't make me call Pina back here."

"Fine. I'll be home soon. I love you." Giving him one last kiss I reluctantly head for the hangar, leaving my mate behind. Hopefully, this won't take too long.