TOMMY

I stop dead in my tracks. He thinks he'll do what now? I stopped so suddenly that the others barely avoid crashing into me. "What now?"

Suddenly looking rather worn out again Zedd shakes his head. "If you won't bend on this and you insist on him being killed, then I'll do it. I already told you I don't want you having his death on your hands and as much as I am remiss to admit it, he was right to some degree, this is about him and myself and as such this mess he's caused is my responsibility, your prisoner or not."

"No it's not."

"Yes, it is. And to be perfectly honest even though I know you were mostly playing a part down there, I wasn't thrilled by how he got to you." Oh my god. Maybe Annwyl was suicidal, maybe not. Maybe the purpose of his needling me was simply to make me look bad in front of Zedd - to make Annwyl look like the better choice. Granted, snapping like I did sure doesn't make me look good, but at least Zedd was there and saw all of what happened - he knows that I was pushed…and that I completely lost my hold on my temper. That I almost beat his former mate to death for doing no more than discussing their past sex life. Shit.

I consider all of this as we finish the walk to the kitchen. A flicker of an idea starts in the back of my mind. I take up my cup of coffee and refill it as I organize my thoughts. The downside of the increased functionality and capacity of my brain is that my thoughts can go in many directions at once and it takes some time to get them all organized and processed. After several minutes of silence, I speak. "Okay. Let's back up a minute."

Everyone looks at me curiously. "First of all, it's possible that he's suicidal, but somehow I doubt it. I get the feeling he's more like you all in that it's not so much suicide as death at his enemy's hands - which I am his enemy, without a doubt - and that's preferable to being demoted to a pet, still alive or not."

I wait for them to consider this for a moment before I continue. "But what if that's not his intent? What if all he was after was to try and make me look bad in front of Zedd? He's never purposely pushed me like that before and despite being annoying he's not completely stupid. He knew I'd lash out. He's not seen me interact with Zedd the same way that Dar and Pina have. I mean, you all know me well enough to see that I'm just acting that way in front of him."

"But you did snap for a minute," Dar points out.

I shrug sheepishly. "He knew what to say. No different than what I did to you in the garden. Had I realized that sooner, not only would I have not lost control, I know what I could have said that would have pushed his buttons back."

"Maybe, maybe not."

Looking curiously at Zedd, I raise a brow. "What do you mean?"

"You knew he was baiting you, at least to some degree. He's getting to you emotionally just as much as you're getting to him physically. Think on it, Thomas. He can't physically fight you right now so he's had to switch tactics. True he very likely was attempting to make you look unstable in front of me and gain some pity, but had I been there or not I'd wager your comment of making him your pet made him angry enough that he still would have verbally gone after you."

"So seeing as how he's decided to step this matter up, now what?" Dar questions.

"Now we have a new problem," I reply. "Zedd doesn't want me to kill him and I sure as hell don't want him to do it, nor either of you." I look at Pina and Dar, knowing that's what the next obvious step is. "But, at the same time, the other options that Zedd's offered don't guarantee that he won't be able to come back at some point and trouble us again."

"So what do we do then, love?" Zedd asks. "If we can't agree on what to do-"

"We just haven't found the right solution yet. Part of the problem, I think, is you and me."

"How?"

"Because we're thinking of him as Annwyl and, if I understand things correctly, he hasn't been Annwyl in hundreds of years. I don't know Doilor at all and you haven't dealt with him in some time." I look at Dar. "But you have. You said as much the day he came here."

Goldar remains silent for a minute, thinking over all he knows about the man, I'm sure. "Well, as far as he knows, you're still just a human and supposedly a good one at that - you know, former Ranger and all, so you've already dented the hell out of his pride. So for a 'mere human' threatening to make him into a pet - and your own pet no less - was a real kick in the gut. It wasn't until after you'd said that that he started to push you. At that point, I've no doubt that as you suggested death would be preferable and if he can drive a wedge between you and Zedd, well, more the better."

"The only hole in your theory is that he knows I was evil recently due to a spell. I told him that I liked it and I was worse than you guys had ever been."

"Why would you have told him that?" Zedd asks astonished.

"It seemed like a good idea at the time. Make him aware that I might not be as good as he was expecting and therefore unpredictable in what I might do."

"Well, I will say this," Zedd sighs. "No matter what he says, this is taking more of a toll on him than he's letting on. As far as the other things he's said-"

Deciding not to give him a chance to feel the need to deny or defend what Annwyl said concerning them and their sex life, I cut him off determined to give him an easy out on the matter considering what was said really wasn't his fault. "It's fine Zedd. So far, I'm assuming that a lot of that has to do with the needs of youth versus the preferences of maturity - mostly." At least I'd hope it would.

"Mostly" he agrees. "However I don't want you to feel like-"

"Never mind that - until recently - I was comparatively much more fragile than your prior mates."

"In more ways than one. But, Thomas, you have improved greatly in recent weeks and-"

"In most things."

Sighing as I cut him off again he gives a nod. "Yes, in most things, but everyone recovers from things at their own pace just as everyone has their own preferences on what they like and don't like to do when-"

"Preferences change though, like say shows you watched as a kid no longer have the same appeal they used to, the same as running around and going bar hopping when younger gives way to staying in and reading a book or watching a movie."

"I don't think we're on the same topic anymore," Dar mutters around his coffee as I catch Pina nod in agreeance.

"Yes, preferences change, but-" Opening my mouth to stop him again, I'm however stopped as his hand comes out to clamp over my mouth. "You need to understand that whether my preferences for what I like to do during mating change or not, who I want to be with hasn't. You're my mate, Thomas, I won't lie and say I didn't care for Annwyl, but he's not my mate, not who I'm bonded to, and not who I want to be with. I told you before love what we do together is more than enough to make me happy. I don't want you doing things or feeling like you have to do things that make you uneasy or upset, unless you want to see me lose my temper. Got it?"

Nodding and getting out a muffled 'got it' from under his palm I take a breath once he takes his hand back.

"Good."

"But back to the point. I think that - except for food and water and the occasional hosing down - maybe I'll leave him alone for a few days before I visit him again. Make him wonder what I'm up to and if his plan has worked at all and I'm trying to fix things with you."

"Maybe" Zedd answers as I take a drink of my coffee. "Plus it'll give us time to think of a solution."

"Not to mention keep me from killing him if he dares to call me 'little boy' or some such crap again" I mutter. If I'm honest, still miffed by how he talked to me. I mean fine, get me mad enough to kill you, go ahead and try and bait me with talk of your past sex life with my mate, but seriously he calls me 'precious' again and I will remove what parts of him that- A sudden thought occurs to me and I choke on my drink. The others look at me startled as I pull myself together.

"What is it, Tommy?" Pina asks.

"Oh my god. Annwyl thinks that he and I are competing for Zedd!" At their confused looks, I clarify. "He wasn't just baiting me, he wasn't even really focused on me, now that I think on it, he was trying to make a point."

"What do you mean?" Zedd questions, though by his expression I think he already knows.

"When he was talking about what you two used to do together, his focus was divided between us and he made a point of saying that neither he nor Zedd were female, the implication being that I'm serving that role."

"But you aren't" Zedd protests.

"I know that - but he doesn't think so. Again, as far as he's concerned, I'm still a mere human - not a half breed - making me a lesser being and therefore filling a, well - no offence Pina - a weaker role."

"None taken" she answers dryly.

Yeah and I'm going to have to deal with her dented pride later. "Right now, he feels like I have an unfair advantage and therefore we're not competing on even ground. Either that or he wanted you to consider what you'd be missing out on, thinking I can't handle any sort of rough play like you used to have with him. That's most likely the other reason he brought up your past together - hoping that good memories of what you had together would lean you toward his side and probably for whatever he could get - freedom, you - whatever."

"I don't really know what to do about that, love, aside going down there and explaining to him how infuriating you isn't going to gain him any favor with me." Yeah because that's going to help his view of me.

Apparently thinking along the same lines I am, Dar shakes his head. "You do that and you're just reinforcing the idea that Tommy's too weak to fend for himself and needs you to take care of him. He's right, and don't give me that look Pina, you know as well as I do he was implying that Tommy was too weak, too fragile to be viewed as an equal male companion for Zedd. He said it, I didn't." Getting a low grumble from his mate Dar heaves a sigh. "Fine, show me how unweak you are after I clean up the dishes, for now, let me finish. Listen, Zedd he was baiting Tommy, but as Tommy said he was also trying to imply what you were supposedly missing out on now, and you going down there to 'fix the situation' isn't going to do anything but make it harder for Tommy to break him."

"Fine, I won't interfere, but you three are forgetting something." At our looks, he continues unhappily. "You're assuming he will break, when chances are he's enough like me, stubborn and prideful enough that he will end up getting you to kill him before you'll break him, if anything just out of spite."

"Well, he's not going to make any kind of a pet if he won't break and I think you'll get bored with him long before that" Dar comments.

I sigh realizing that Zedd's very likely right if his behavior today is any indication. "So what do we do then?"

"My opinion? You made your point to him, Thomas. I know you don't think you did, but you did, trust me on that. You keep pushing much harder and the only one you're going to end up punishing is yourself. Call Trey, he's committed enough crimes on Triforia and in that sector in his time that combined with his threat to kill you and the Gold Ranger should be interested to have him."

Looking to Pina and Dar and getting nods of agreement, I relent. "I guess, all things considered, Trey might be our best bet. At least if something were to go wrong and he does somehow get free, at least Trey can warn us. I doubt we'd get the same courtesy from whoever would buy him and we'd definitely have no warning if he were rescued from an uninhabited planet."

"Thomas, love, it's not as if all four of us don't already have enemies clamoring for our blood. One more, honestly, isn't going to make that much of a difference. Besides as you said, Trey out of courtesy to you would very likely inform you if he did somehow manage to get free."

I trigger my communicator. "Tommy to Trey of Triforia."

After a very long minute, he responds. "Go ahead, Tommy."

"Not sure how up you are on current events, but I need a favor."

"I'm informed enough to know who you are currently residing with and hope this favor isn't a result of them causing you trouble. If it is however I will be more than happy to help you remedy the situation."

"I used to drink with your father before you were born, child. Bite me" Zedd replies with a roll of his eyes and protest as I elbow him in the ribs.

"I'm aware of this and - your advancing age and thus failing memory in mind - I'll remind you you're still wanted on this planet, Lord Zedd."

"Okay, so two favors" I correct, stopping Zedd from replying with a hard look.

"Whatever you need."

"One, if you could refrain from killing or imprisoning Zedd, I'd be very grateful."

"My friend, you ask a lot. However given the fact he has helped you recently, or so Prince Andros insists, I suppose I can agree to not start any wars with him at this current time, given you keep him away from my planet and estate."

"Fair enough" I agree, even as Zedd gives a dismissive gesture. "Especially since my second favor in a way involves him as well."

Quickly, I fill him in, giving him the short version of what has happened concerning Annwyl and what I need. "I know it's not your concern, Trey and I'm sorry to bring you into it, but we have very few options at this point and keeping him here - it's just not a good idea. Can you help me out?"

"If it concerns a fellow Ranger, it is my concern Tommy. Plus Zedd is correct in that Annwyl, under his other persona has committed a few atrocities over the years on my world. Nothing more noteworthy then any of the others of their side, but still enough that his imprisonment here would be justified even if he hadn't threatened your life and almost killed your mate."

"Thank you. I just hope he doesn't prove too much of a problem for you. If he does escape though-"

Cutting me off calmly, Trey apparently is not the least concerned. "I assure you he won't be escaping. Since I've taken over here when I returned, only one person's ever escaped my prison, Tommy and believe me, we learned from it."

Seeing the three around me flush and grin, I answer, "And why do I get the feeling I know who that was?"

"Your companions are three of the most devious beings in the universe. And before Zedd says another word as I know his mouth is open to do so" Looking at Zedd and smirking as he is indeed ready to put his two cents in again, I shake my head as Trey continues. "He should know this, the only reason I didn't come after him after his first 'escape' from the medical ward was because he was gravely ill from Zordon's wave of power and Rita requested I let him have what she believed to be his final days with his two companions that he considers family."

"And the second time?" I ask noting Zedd's somewhat surprised look at this.

"The second time, after Goldar and Scorpina decided to liberate him from my prison when he was caught-"

"I felt sorry for you. I let you catch me."

Sighing at Zedd's comment, Trey continues, "The second time, I only let him be because Zordon requested it. In truth, I was more than ready to come after you Zedd, I'd even inquired to Andros and Zhane for help given the amount of trouble you caused as well as the destruction to half my estate. Andros in turn sent Zordon to cool my temper."

"Really now?" Seeming again surprised by this, Zedd takes a minute before daring to ask. "And what did he say that made you finally realize I was too great a challenge to dare to come after?"

Not missing a beat, Trey's response is fast but flat. "He said you were an overgrown child who would spend every waking moment driving me insane until I either lost enough sanity to kill you or let you go."

Unable to stop my laughter at this, I give a nod. "Sounds about right."

"That said, as a favor to you, Tommy, I'll take your prisoner in exchange for Zedd. He should never again see the light of day - at least not alive."

"Fair enough."

"I'll grab a few people and we'll come and collect him. It'll be a few days though. Will you be all right to hold him until then?"

"I think we'll be fine until you arrive. Trust me he's in no shape to be going anywhere on his own. Thanks Trey. We'll see you then. Tommy out." I disconnect the call and look at the others. "Good enough?"

Nods all around, I return my attention to my mate. "And again, I really believe that this has less to do with you and him then it does him and me."

"Still, as my ex, the responsibility falls to me."

Irritated now, I ignore the other two who are sneaking out of the kitchen. "Fine. Then remember this when we go back to Earth and some of my exes are hanging on me."

"That's different. Annwyl isn't hanging on me. In fairness he isn't hanging on anything but the shackles and chains that are holding him up right now." So amusing. At my look of annoyance Zedd continues with a sigh. "Thomas it's not the same thing as one of your ex-mate's vying for your attention. He's not trying to gain favor with me or get back into my bed-"

"Not now." My temper rises as I recall how he'd caressed Zedd's face. "But he did touch you and god only knows what he did or tried to do before I got there." My eyes narrow when he won't look me in the eye. "What did he do, Zedd?"

"Thomas, it was nothing really."

I can feel myself pale.

"Zedd, what happened before I got there?"

"Thomas, listen, sometimes you just go with what you know about a prisoner when trying to break them, or get them to cooperate. Like trying to make me ill, Annwyl knows well enough from my past how I am when I'm ill and so do you. It's one of the best ways to get me to be compliant-"

"We're not talking about that."

Rubbing his eyes and again looking tired, he relents slightly. "No, we're not, but what you want to talk about is only going to result in you feeling very bad or doing something very bad and I don't have the energy right now to stop you if you choose the second option. Thomas, love, just let it be, all right? What's done is done, I've been through much, much worse in my life and what happened, while it would infuriate me if it happened to you, when it concerns myself I'm more than just a bit jaded to it, all right?"

Oh god. I didn't make it in time and he did more than put his hands on Zedd. I might have done it while I was under a spell, but Annwyl - Doilor - whoever - did it just because he wanted to - no matter what Zedd wanted. Trying to feel him through the bond as he has me so many times before, I only feel my anger and nausea rise as he winces sharply before trying to mentally shove me back.

"Thomas, don't."

"Stop blocking me."

"No, not when you're trying to feel for something you don't need to feel." Growling as I keep pushing, he finally snaps, but in doing so loses his hold on blocking me. "I said no, Thomas!"

Getting a good full dose of what he felt and is feeling now, anger aside, I think I'm going to be sick. I stand abruptly, knocking over the stool I was sitting on. I step away from him even as my stomach starts churning insistently. I barely make it to the garbage can before I lose my breakfast.

"Damn it, Thomas, I told you not to." Zedd's at my side in an instant, trying to soothe me even as he again closes me off from his side of the bond, but I don't deserve this.

I push him back, squeezing words out between rounds of vomiting. "I'm sorry, Zedd. Failed you. Didn't make it in time."