TOMMY
I'm relieved that me comforting Hayley didn't upset Zedd, even if he and Goldar did seem a little uncomfortable and uncertain of what to do when the others joined me. Still though, him hanging back awkwardly I can deal with, him attacking Hayley not so much. Before anything else can be said, communicators go off and everyone snaps to attention. Hayley says, "Go ahead."
Connor's response is less than encouraging. "Problem and we need help."
"On it." In a minute, Hayley, Billy and Trini are out the door and Jason sighs, hanging back and looking less than happy.
"You aren't going with them?" I ask.
"I'll catch up in a while" he answers. "I'll lock up first and then head for the lair - unless they actually need me in the field, but I doubt it'll come to that."
My insides freeze at this statement. "You've been battling? Have you been morphing?"
"Only when necessary." Zedd sets his hand on my shoulder. Jason looks up from what he's doing and sees my expression, I'm sure. When he suddenly grins at me I don't know if I should be confused or punch him in the face for finding my horror at him putting himself in danger so amusing. "Relax bro. Andros and I might have swung by and visited Dulcea on our way home." What? "And I might have connected to my Ninjetti spirit."
Wait, he what now? I focus my attention and realize that I can sense the power in him, too, tempered by the remnants of his Red powers, but there nonetheless. "Awesome, Jase!"
"We've got this under control" he assures me.
"Wish you'd told me that a bit sooner, been worried" I admitted.
"Didn't want you to worry, bro. Things have been a bit hectic here is really the only reason I didn't mention it before. I would have told you the next time I saw you or we talked…well…okay in fairness there was another reason I didn't tell you right away" he admits, shooting a slightly guilty look at Zedd.
Catching the look, it takes me a moment to grasp what he's not saying, but when I do I'm not overly surprised by what I come to realize. "You were worried you might need the element of surprise" I state, realizing that while he is accepting of what Zedd and I have, he's still a tad leery of the Eltarian's intentions with me.
"You were going to try and kill me" Zedd states calmly, picking up on the unspoken message as well.
"Only if you hurt him" Jason states seriously. "In which case you not being aware of my added powers would have come in handy."
Nodding and seeming very accepting of this, Zedd gives a light shrug. "I suppose, but I probably would have felt them or at the very least an alteration in your powers when you got close enough. Plus, just for future reference, I wouldn't take Andros next time, he's got a big mouth and I probably would have heard about you gaining new powers before you ever showed back up at my door."
"I'll remember that next time" Jason says with a grin before turning back to me. "I'm sorry bro. I know you love Zedd, but you come first with me, and had he somehow, some way managed to pull the wool over my eyes when I was there, I wanted to be certain there would be no trouble in rescuing you if I had to."
"I get it" I agree as Zedd seems to as well.
"Besides, since we split Anton and Mesogog they have come in handy on occasion."
"Yeah, speaking of that, I meant to ask you, how is Mercer?"
"He's…I don't know, he's Mercer I guess. At least that's what Hayley keeps telling me. He was worried when he recovered enough to recall you got hurt and that you aren't the one currently holding the Black Dino Ranger powers. I might have let it 'slip' that you were currently staying with Lord Zedd who is highly protective of you, just in case he wasn't as completely evil free as Hayley and the kids seem to think." And by his frown I'm betting he doesn't agree with them, though I'm fairly certain I know why.
"Let me guess, he's been really quiet since he was split from Mesogog. Hardly says two words, but seems to be observing everything and when he does speak it's something helpful that you can't believe you missed yourself." Grinning at his stunned look and nod, I shake my head.
"Exactly!"
"Yeah, he's evil free, bro… or at least as evil free as he's ever been. That's just how he is. He's a very thoughtful sort of person, and at times he forgets that the people he's around can't be treated like his employees, or have no clue that he always works things out in his head first before even mentioning them to anyone. Still if it'll make you feel better I will go see him while I'm here and assess the matter myself, just in case."
"That might be a good idea, just do me a favor and take one of us or even Zedd, Goldar, or Pina with you." Yeah cause I see that working out well.
"I'll think about it" I agree mostly just to please him. "You gonna be home for dinner?"
"Assuming they don't need my help I will. Though I think I might have to run to the store, your fridge is a bit bare as I've been a little busy and thus grabbing a bite here for the most part this week."
"Nah, I got this. Besides I need something to do while you guys are off saving the world."
"You spent enough time saving it" he chides gently but with a note of firmness. "Show Zedd and the others around town, take him to a movie or something. Relax for a bit. Like I said we got this."
"All right fine, you win. We're going to go to the store and then home to make dinner. See you when you get there."
"You sure the grocery store is the best place to take them?"
Frowning and giving a shrug, not really seeing why it would be an issue, I give a nod. "It's not a very exciting outing I'll admit, but I figured they should probably know where it is in case something happens and they need to run out real fast to pick something up for us or themselves. Why?"
Laughing a bit and shaking his head, he isn't telling me something that he's got going on in that brain of his, but I swear I feel like I'm being set up here. "Nothing, just something Andros mentioned to me. Go, get dinner, bro. I'll see you in a bit."
"All right." Still highly suspicious now, I bid him goodbye as he nods and we head out.
Well one thing's for certain it didn't take long to figure out what Jason knew that I didn't as taking the three Eltarians to an Earth store is an adventure all its own. Fortunately, I'd grabbed my wallet before we left the house so that'll simplify payment, but the actual shopping process is far more than a little awkward. Spending the first ten minutes explaining that that florescent lighting isn't meant to be an assault on their eyes. The next five keeping Zedd from 'liberating' the lobsters. Follow that with ten more keeping Goldar from killing anyone with a carrot and Scorpina questioning the parenting ability of more than one woman and I know I'm going to need a nap when I get home. Still, none of this really even compares to their sudden rather haughty attitudes. Even Pina seems rather offended that no one's offered her a bribe or anything for free just for her gracing them her presence and business, much to my surprise.
Finally, as Zedd prepares to tell off what will probably be his third teenager for the day I have to pull them all to the side before we're either thrown out or I'm forced to call Jason for backup. I take a minute to carefully explain that this is not the same type of situation as the markets they're used to and that as far as anyone here is concerned they're nobody important, just as I am no one of real interest on their home world, and thus they have to handle things a little differently here. Despite their slight displeasure, this realization, along with my request to not stress me out, at least subdues them a bit and we finish without further potential incidents.
When we finally arrive back at the house I'm a bit surprised to see Connor's car in the drive next to Jason's. "Looks like they finished up the battle."
"You think they want to stay for dinner?" Pina questions, despite Zedd and Goldar's slight looks of unhappiness at this.
"Didn't you get enough human teenagers today?" Dar asks with a sigh.
"They're not the same as those at the store" Pina argues before lowering her voice. "Besides, they're Tommy's friends we should be nice."
"It's okay guys, I highly doubt they're staying. Chances are Jason's just going over some stuff from the battle with them. Come on, we'll go shoo them out and start dinner." Grabbing the bags we head into the house and I can hear the Rangers in the kitchen, talking in low voices.
About to go see what's up I stop briefly as I hear Conner say, "We should probably get out of here before Dr. O gets back. After all, he'll probably want to spend time with Zedd."
"Never mind the fit he'll throw if he sees this" Kira agrees. Oh hell what happened now?
Not liking the sound of that, I head into the kitchen. "Hey guys, how's it - oh my god!" Every one of the kids and Hayley look like they've been in a war - black and blue and bloody. Well, except Trent, who's nowhere in sight at the moment. "What the hell happened?"
Jason's frowning as he checks Hayley over. "We told you he's gotten more vicious since they were separated."
"Yeah vicious, but not psychotic" I argue moving quickly to Kira and examining her swollen eye as Pina moves to Conner, and Goldar surprisingly checks on Ethan without protest. Only after determining that she hasn't been permanently blinded I look around noticing the one still missing child of the group. "Where's Trent?" If he looks anything like the rest of them, he might need help too - no matter what he might currently think of me.
"Was being a moron" Connor mutters.
"Went home" Ethan answers shortly.
I can't bring myself to ask if they'd had a chance to talk to him. Fortunately, Zedd's not so reserved. "So what's his problem?"
Kira shrugs and then winces. "He wouldn't say, but we convinced him to come tomorrow and listen, at least."
"Not to be that guy, but can I just remind everyone that I didn't trust him from the start" Connor points out, the White Ranger's early outburst apparently reigniting an old spark of anger the Red Ranger has never fully let go of.
"It's not a matter of trust, Connor" I point out wearily. "He came and helped you guys fight, that's what counts, not his personal opinion of me right now."
"Yeah, well all I can say is you better keep him on a short leash Kira" Connor mutters, as the girl rolls her eyes at being put in charge of the matter.
"Trent aside, how are you going to explain your injuries at home?" Pina asks anxiously. "I mean the powers will heal you, but not before you have to go home tonight."
"We're not. Ethan and I are going to go stay at Trent's since Dr. Mercer already knows what's up, and Kira's parents are out of town until Wednesday." Connor explains. "So it'll be fine for tonight at least."
"Well that's something I suppose" Pina agrees with a sigh.
"It'll be fine" Kira assures her calmly.
The kids haul themselves up out of the chairs and head for the door. "See you tomorrow, Dr. O."
"See you." I feel horrible that the kids are being hurt so badly. I'd never have thought it would be this bad. "Fucking Mesogog." I start unpacking bags and begin putting things away, doing my best to distract myself at the moment only for Zedd to stop me and pull me into his arms.
"It'll be all right, love. They're just as strong or stronger than you were at that age."
I let him comfort me. "If I'd have known that things would turn out like this, I'd have tried to find another way to deal with him. I know that these things had to happen for us to be together, but-"
"I understand, Thomas. I really do." Which is good, because I'm feeling so guilty right now. "Why don't we get all this put away and then everyone can call it a night unless of course you're hungry."
"I'm really not" I admit, my appetite having gone quickly at seeing the condition the kids and Hayley were in.
"All right, so let's finish up here then."
I agree and half an hour later everything is put up and the kitchen back in order. The three Eltarians and I all head for the stairs and Jason calls out after us, "Try and keep it down tonight, will you? Some of us actually have work tomorrow."
"No promises" I call back. I sigh as I realize that these walls are nowhere near being soundproof and they won't absorb sound like the stone in the castle can. Gonna have to figure something out because I'll be damned if I'm going to give up mating for the entire time we're here.
