ZEDD - THREE DAYS LATER
Except for when Thomas has to go deal with Annwyl, things are actually pretty calm and peaceful. If I'm honest, I think I'm the only one who has a case of nerves when he goes down there, as when I made the suggestion to Dar and Pina about taking over where feeding him was concerned both seemed rather unbothered by the idea of letting Thomas continue to do it. Even going so far as to remind me that he was in fact Thomas' prisoner not theirs, and thus his responsibility.
"You're sulking again." Not even bothering to look up from the papers he's reading while he eats, Thomas lays his hand on my arm. "Stop thinking about it, it'll be over with soon."
"I don't know what you're talking about." My denial is met with a snort from my mate, as well as a few noises from the other two at the table.
"Sure you don't. Trey will be here soon, Zedd, and until he is Annwyl is perfectly fine…well perfectly alive. Same thing. Just don't think about it, okay." Right.
Sighing and returning focus to my breakfast, I don't see how I'm not supposed to think about it. I have my ex-mate in my dungeon, my current mate in charge of keeping him alive, and a semi current enemy, well opponent I suppose, coming to claim him from us. That in mind now, I must admit that as much as I'd really rather not see Trey again, I can't wait for him to come and get Annwyl the hell out of my house.
Almost as if my thoughts conjured him up, breakfast is interrupted as all of our cuffs go off, letting us know that we have a visitor. We all grin at each other and abandon our meal, heading for the front door. We're all on the lawn before the ship lands.
"Is it Trey?" Looking confused, almost as if he was expecting something else, perhaps the Gold Ranger's Zord, Thomas frowns slightly.
"It's Trey" I state, recognizing the design of the ship, as it had been the one I'd tried to steal the last time I was there and attempting to make my getaway.
I'm pleasantly surprised when Thomas reaches out and takes my hand, threading our fingers together and squeezing lightly.
It's not all that long before Trey exits the ship with a few of his guards. The man at my side greets him casually. "Hey, Trey. How're things going?"
"Busy, of course, but not too busy for this." He grins at us. "You look well Tommy, you're feeling better?"
"Yeah, a few troubles here and there, but almost back to myself. Reacquiring my powers helped."
"I'm glad, how are you doing with the bonding?" A bit surprised by the younger lord's question as while Thomas had explained being my mate and how that had added to our trouble with Annwyl, he'd never really said I believe if we were bonded or not.
Looking far less surprised then myself, Thomas' answer is casual and if I'm correct, slightly amused. "Word travels fast, doesn't it."
"I mentioned to your brother that I was coming to see you, I wanted to know if he wished for me to bring you any message or wanted me to ask you anything" Trey admits with a smile. Figures he would speak to Jason given his connection with the human through the Gold Ranger power. "He wanted me to tell you the children are doing well, and behaving, for the most part. Andros also sends his regards and hopes that Zedd is behaving himself…for the most part." Amusing.
"I'm glad. I'll get in touch with him soon to check in" Thomas assures him. "And so Andros doesn't worry, you can tell him that Zedd has been his normal self."
"I'm not certain that's not cause for worry" Trey jests back, much to my lack of amusement before he actually seems to turn his focus on me, frowning slightly as he does. "Nor am I certain your appearance isn't either, Lord Zedd." What now? Moving closer, he studies me intently for a moment. "I didn't know you had allergies."
"I don't."
Gesturing to his own face, I suddenly know now what he's focused on. Fucking Annwyl. "If not allergies you may want to have Scorpina examine you, your face is splashed with very faint red patches. In truth they aren't very noticeable, but with how you seemed so focused on your appearance even while in my capture I'm assuming it's just occurred."
"Actually it's the opposite. When Annwyl captured him he thought he'd knock some of the fight out of him by infecting him with Vesirokko" Thomas explains, even as I try to get my hair to fall more over the worst spots on my forehead and around my right eye now. "He's just now getting over it and the red patches that go with it."
"Vesirokko?" Looking thoughtful Trey shakes his head after a moment. "Isn't that a children's illness?" And the humiliation keeps on coming.
"It generally is, but if not caught as a child, it can be near fatal in adult Eltarians" Pina explains. "If Tommy hadn't thought to bring Annwyl back after we rescued Zedd, we very likely wouldn't have figured out what it was in time."
"He'll pay for what he's done, I assure you" Trey promises.
"I'm honestly just relieved you're taking him off our hands. While Scorpina's right in that bringing him here did help save Zedd's life, it's unfortunately now forcing us to put ours on hold to a degree."
Nodding in understanding, Trey replies easily. "I can understand that considering it is just the four of you here. Still though, even with this trouble, compared to what Andros told me, I'd say that you've improved greatly even since he's left."
Thomas grins back. "You have no idea. Come on inside, we'll sit and talk a bit."
Trey crosses the remaining distance between us. "I would very much like to, but unfortunately, Tommy, this will have to be a very short visit. A situation has come up at home and I'll need to get back." I can feel a twinge of guilt through the bond even as I, and Trey it seems, sees it flash across Thomas' face. "Don't worry, Tommy. This was something unexpected. You didn't pull me away from anything and my palace won't fall in my absence."
Dar speaks up, professional as always. "If you'd like, Lord Trey, I can take a couple of your guards down to get the prisoner."
"That's fine." He nods at a couple of the large men behind him and Dar leads them into the castle. He returns his attention to us. "So, by any chance, would you know why Goldar has been trying to acquire Triforian language discs?"
Thomas flushes lightly. "Actually, they're for me."
We're all surprised at this information. "I didn't know about that, love. Why did you want to learn that?"
He shrugs sheepishly. "Why not?" He's not saying something.
Trey smirks. "In that case, Tommy, I'll make sure you get some. Any other languages you're interested in?"
"Several, actually." Oh, we're going to have to talk about this later.
Trey nods. "If Goldar has trouble getting you anything you're looking for, let me or Andros know and we'll see what we can do."
Thomas grins widely once more. "Thanks, Trey."
We all turn at the sudden commotion behind us. Somehow, I'm not surprised that Annwyl is putting up a hell of a fight, cursing in at least three or four different languages now that he realizes just who has decided to take him. Once they're close enough, Thomas comments, as if talking to a child, "Oh, come on, Annwyl. It'll be all right. You'll make new friends."
Rage burns in my former mate's eyes. He hisses at Thomas. "Shut your mouth, human. I will escape and I will come back here and kill you."
Thomas rolls his eyes. "As I may have mentioned, I've heard it all before. At this point, all I can suggest is that you get on the ship and learn how to be a good boy or your time there will be worse than it was here."
"So very, very much worse" Trey agrees with a nod.
"Why?" Annwyl challenges, focus turning to Trey. "Why me? Why not Zedd?" Really? He's really going to throw me to the lions to try and save himself? "He was the one who destroyed half your planet!"
"While I do usually appreciate the embellishment of my power and acts of destruction, this time I will admit it was hardly half the planet. Honestly, at most, like a quarter...well maybe a third."
Looking unimpressed with both of us now, Trey much to his credit however remains calm and composed when responding. "While it's true you were and still are significantly less dangerous than Lord Zedd, he however has been granted a reprieve."
Looking outraged once more, Annwyl is having none of this. "A reprieve?! From who?!"
"From me" Trey replies evenly.
"See, we made a deal" Thomas states with a smirk. "Trey agreed to let Zedd stay here with me in exchange for me giving him a fun new pet, you. Everyone wins. Well, except you."
With a scream of rage, somehow Annwyl breaks free of his guards and launches himself at Thomas. Moving to take him down before he can connect, the Ranger however seems to lose his footing due to the slant we're on and fails to connect properly, giving Annwyl enough of a chance to at the very least grab him and throw him further off balance as they hit the ground together. The pair roll together down the short slope even as we hurry after them. Annwyl sits up on Thomas, his bindings pressing firmly on my mate's throat, making him choke as he struggles for air. The half breed somehow manages to throw the Eltarian off and immediately launches after him. They trade blows for a minute before Thomas pins him to the ground.
"He's got him" Trey states seeing his fellow Ranger having the other unable to move now, apparently not quite as concerned as I am, given that he can't feel what I'm feeling though the bond.
"He's not thinking. He's too mad" I state, moving to retrieve my mate before he does something he'll regret.
"Let him work his anger out then. You know me well enough to know the last thing I'll do is judge a fellow Ranger for taking revenge on someone who just tried to kill him."
Still concerned by the rage I'm feeling from him, I shake my head at the Triforian's misunderstanding. "That's not the problem." Concern, however swiftly changes to alarm when Thomas wraps his hands around Annwyl's throat and he begins to squeeze. "Thomas, no!"
"That's the problem," I hear Dar state as I rush to stop my mate. "He's still adjusting to some changes the powers made in him as well as the release from a spell Rita infected him with several years back. He gets a bit…aggressive, at times. He's getting better though."
Reaching Thomas, I touch his arm, but he's so far gone in his rage - not unlike rages I've had in the past - that he merely shrugs me off, tightening his grip further. Without thinking, I grab his arm and shake it. "Thomas-"
Releasing his victim with one hand, he strikes out blindly, catching me in the stomach before returning his hand to its former position. Seeing that this will not end well Dar joins in and speaks to him sharply in Eltarian, demanding that he stop and get himself together as well as chastising him for striking his mate. Less than a minute after Dar starts speaking, the hold that his rage has on him seems to break and he seems to become aware of himself and his surroundings once more.
Suddenly, he releases Annwyl and backs off of him quickly. His voice is rough when he says, "Get him the hell out of here before I do kill him."
Annwyl opens his mouth to say something, but in a heartbeat Trey has his blade to his throat. "Speak again" Trey warns him "and you won't live long enough to even plan your revenge."
Swiftly, Trey's guards take control of their prisoner and hustle him onto the ship. We all turn our attention to Thomas. Trey speaks first. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine" he answers shortly. A clear lie, we all know as we can see the bruises forming on his face and throat. Suddenly, he turns to me. "Oh, god, Zedd. Are you all right?"
"I've been hurt much worse than this, Thomas. I'm all right."
Trey shakes his head. "I think we'll be leaving then. As I said, as much as I would like to stay longer and visit with you, I really do have to get back. Perhaps when I have a bit more time I can come back or you can come visit me on Triforia and we can talk more."
"Maybe once I get some things settled myself" Thomas agrees.
Looking a bit concerned now, Trey gives a nod. "If you need anything, let me know, okay?"
We all nod and he heads for his ship, which is shortly aloft and leaving. Tactfully, Pina and Dar withdraw, leaving me with my mate. His emotions are all over the place right now and I'm not sure where to start to soothe him.
His stance and the way he keeps clenching and unclenching his hands tells me he's still battle ready - and possibly spoiling for a fight. Whether the fight will be physical or verbal remains to be seen. He speaks first, voice still rough with emotion and from being choked. "Zedd, I need you to leave me alone for a little while." Okay, not expecting that.
"Why?"
He snaps, "For the same reason that you took off a few days ago. The difference here is that I can't leave the planet and be abducted." Really? That's where we're going with this huh. There's a pause and then he curses, seeming to be thinking along the same lines I myself am. "That's why. I need to get control of myself."
He stalks off toward the woods. "Thomas, you don't have your pack or a weapon and-" I stop short as, without breaking stride, he holds out his hand and his staff appears in it. How did he learn that? I didn't teach it to him and Goldar and Scorpina can only do it when in their warrior transformations as far as I know. Deciding now is very likely not the time to ask however, I heave a sigh hoping he won't be gone too long. Knowing he can still hear me, I say, "Be careful and be safe, Thomas. I love you."
I sigh and head in, returning to the kitchen. The pair here look up when I come in. Nothing needs to be said. A few short weeks ago, I'd have been worried and fretting and they'd have had to calm me down. Now it's becoming almost reflexive to check the bond from time to time to reassure myself that he's all right - particularly since neither of us is in the habit of completely closing the connection anymore. I finish my coffee and breakfast and go to get some work done while I wait for my mate to return.
I check on Thomas a few hours later and I'm relieved to find that he's much calmer. Just as I'm about to turn my attention back to my work, I feel him go through a series of rapid fire emotions - confusion, surprise, shock, excitement. Focusing more closely, I realize that he's not back to the palace yet, but is heading this way rather quickly. Curious, I want to go meet him, but since he's not angry or hurt - well, any more than he was before - I'll give him a little longer. Besides, it's almost lunchtime and I'll check on him then if nothing else.
Once lunchtime arrives, I stretch and seek out my mate. I find him in his lab, which oddly reminds me of Finster's back in the day. I have no idea what all these tubes and flasks and fluids and whatnot all do, but he doesn't really seem to be paying attention to that so much as the papers he's currently hunched over. "Thomas, it's lunchtime."
"Uh huh. I'll be there in a minute." Somehow, I doubt that - the distracted tone of voice tells me otherwise.
"All right. I'll wait for you then."
"Uh huh." In a moment, he's immersed in whatever he's working on once more. He brushes his hair out of his eyes, even as he's making notes and jotting down figures. I wanted to try and talk him into letting his hair grow out, but I can see how it would be problematic if he's going to be working in here a lot - at least until it gets long enough to be easily contained.
Growing restless while I try and wait him out, I turn my attention once more to the items he's acquired. Really where in the hell did he find time to get all of this stuff? Reaching out to pluck a beaker of neon purple liquid from its place on one of his work tables I'm stopped quickly by his voice.
"Don't touch that."
"Why?" Hand still hovering to grab it, I don't have to wait long for an explanation, even as his gaze never leaves his papers.
"It'll explode."
Uncertain if he's telling me the truth or not I however leave it be for the moment, my hand moving to a row of test tubes next. This time the contents looking almost like colored paste.
"Zedd don't."
"Why?"
"Because if you get any on you it'll eat a hole through your hand." All right I am definitely going to have to have a discussion with Goldar on just what he has been acquiring for my mate while I've been out of commission recently.
"Speaking of eating, are you ready to go to lunch yet?" I inquire once more.
"In a minute." Right.
'A minute' quickly turns into five and then ten. "Thomas."
"Uh huh." He reaches up and adjusts something before returning his attention to his notes.
"Thomas!"
He spins around, startled. "What?"
"Ten minutes ago, you said that you'd be up for lunch in a minute."
He gives me a blank look. "I did?" I nod, studying his face as it's the first time I've seen it fully since he left this morning. A couple of the bruises are fairly bad, not to mention the swelling on his temple and the marks across his throat. "Sorry, Zedd. I don't remember that at all."
"You were pretty deeply engrossed in whatever it is that you're doing."
His gaze falls back on the papers before him. "Had an idea that might help the kids, but I've got to fill in the holes in my memory first to know if it'll even work."
"Can this sit long enough for you to eat?"
He hesitates. "I guess so."
"You can come back to it right after lunch and Pina looks you over."
"I'm fine, Zedd - or at least I will be. Lunch, but no exam."
"Love-"
"Take it or leave it, Zedd. That's the best you're going to get."
I try one more counter offer. "Lunch and I'll examine you."
He grins at me. "Then neither one of us will get back to work."
"I'm okay with that" I assure him.
He drops his pencil on the desk, comes over and wraps his arms around me. "Zedd, as much as I would enjoy that - and you know that I would - I'd really like to get this done. If I'm right and can get the information to the Rangers, they should have Mesogog beaten before we go."
Well, that would certainly be a plus as the children wouldn't be around constantly. Reluctantly, I agree. "All right, Thomas, I'll let it go for now. But I really would like her to look you over at some point soon."
"If it'll make you feel better."
"It will." I kiss him, lingering longer than necessary. Finally, I release him. "Later?"
"Later" he agrees. We leave the room together and are halfway up the stairs when he speaks again, sounding slightly ashamed. "By the way, I'm sorry for what I said earlier. It was cruel and uncalled for."
"Yes, well, I had the feeling that you might have been looking for a fight. I'm not upset, Thomas. It's all right."
He shakes his head. "No, it's not. I knew that I was angry and I should have curbed my words much more carefully."
"It was a level of rage that you aren't really used to due to the changes you've gone through. You'll adapt and-"
"Stop doing that!" I'm startled into silence. "Stop making excuses for my behavior and letting it all slide! When I screw up, call me on it for god's sake!"
"There's no need, Thomas. You are obviously aware, so why point it out?"
"I- don't know." I can almost taste his frustration and I suspect that, in some corner of his mind, he's still craving the fight he didn't get earlier, but why with me?
"Perhaps if you think on it some more, you'll figure it out." We reach the kitchen, quick looks shot at the others let them know that he's not quite completely under control yet.
Dar rolls his eyes briefly before he addresses Thomas. "Tommy, I've looked over the list we made of things you need to make the lasagna and I'm fairly certain that the only thing that we're still missing is the noodles that you need. I think they're going to have to be special ordered from Earth."
He considers this for a minute. "Suppose you ordered them today. Roughly how long would it take to get them?"
"It depends on when that supplier is headed this way next. It could be a few days or it could be a few weeks."
"In that case, see what you can find out. If it's a few days, that's fine, but if it's a few weeks, we might be making that trip back to Earth by then and we can get them ourselves."
"I'll find out what I can" Dar promises. After the meal, everyone returns to their work.
