ZEDD
I wake up and, for a moment, I'm disoriented. The smells in the room are not familiar, Thomas is not laying curled up against me, and everything is just not as it should be. About to call my staff as a spark of worried instinct strikes, I however hold off for a moment trying to get my bearings. Where the hell-? Oh, right. Thomas' house. We're at Thomas' home on Earth. Damn, going to have to do something to at the very least make the scents in our room more familiar. About to tell my mate this, I again notice that he isn't in his customary spot next to me. "Thomas?"
Looking around, I realize that I've woken up alone again, which is actually surprising considering how late we were up talking last night. I understood that he was in no mood to mate last night, as I could feel how bothered he was by the situation the Rangers are currently in, but I'd still be lying if I said that probably didn't add to me being on edge this morning.
I rise and dress, still feeling like I'd rather go back to sleep, however I'm intent on finding my mate and making certain that he's all right as when he normally takes off like this it's not for a good reason. I head downstairs, only to find that the house seems to be deserted - although coffee is made. "Thomas? Jason? Seriously." I get a cup before I look out front to see that his vehicle is still here. Frowning, I return to the kitchen.
Looking out the back door, I finally see Thomas and Jason emerge from the woods that edge his yard. They're running, but there seems to be no urgency nor any real speed. Upon reaching the center of the spacious lawn, they turn to each other and begin sparring without so much as a pause. I watch for several minutes, noting once more that Thomas is moving faster than he does when he spars with me. Idly wondering why, I continue my observation of my mate, simply appreciating his grace. I also notice that he's returned to the more aerial style of his youth. Perhaps falling back into old patterns with his comrade?
About to let them play and go begin something for breakfast I pause as a movement in the tree line catches my attention. There's something watching the men in the yard and it's definitely got the scent of power. Without taking my gaze from - whatever it is - I swiftly set down my coffee and open the back door. My tone will tell him everything he needs to know. "Thomas!"
Immediately, the pair halt and, after a quick glance at me, follow my line of sight. Realizing that concealment is no longer necessary, it steps into view. Both Ninjetti take defensive stances. In one voice, they hiss out, "Mesogog!"
I barely resist the urge to summon my staff, not wanting to tip my hand too soon. "So" he hisses "the rumors are true. The once witty former Dr. Oliver has returned home."
"Still all I was and more, lizard face" Thomas hisses in return. "Despite your best efforts, not only am I alive, I'm better than ever."
"I highly doubt that. After all, you're no longer a Ranger."
"That's true" he agrees. "But that also means that I can fight just as dirty as you if I want."
"But you don't want. You will if you have to, if you must, but you will despise yourself later for fighting dishonorably."
"You don't know that."
"I know everything about you that Anton knew, Tommy. I know all your strengths and weaknesses. I know how you think and how you fight and, Ranger or not, I'm still going to kill you for delaying my plans."
"You keep thinking that. Whatever helps you sleep at night. Jase?"
"Ready!" Thomas throws himself at Jason who, in turn, grabs his arm, swings him in a circle and launches the smaller man at the intruder. Thomas strikes him in the chest feet first, sending the lizard man to the ground. Before Thomas is back on his feet, Jason is on the creature. He only gets a few strikes in, however, before he's thrown back. With surprising speed, Mesogog regains his feet.
"This isn't over" he snarls before disappearing into the woods.
My attention is on the two young men still in the yard. "You okay, Tommy?"
"Fine. You?"
The stocky man grins. "Not a scratch. Not quite the workout we'd planned though, was it?"
Together, they turn for the house as Thomas answers, "No and unfortunately, he knows more than I wanted him to know this soon."
"Yeah, because now he knows that you can still fight."
"Good news and bad news" I put in.
Thomas gives me a quick kiss. "Thanks for the heads up, Zedd."
"Anytime, but I'm sure you know that it was very tempting to just blow his damn head off, don't you?"
"While that would have helped," Jason says "and I'm not saying completely disregard that idea for a last resort, we'd still unfortunately have Elsa and Zeltrax to deal with."
"Who?"
"His Goldar and Scorpina" Thomas answers. "But it's different too." Why must everything be so complex with evil creatures these days?
I nod in understanding. "So what now?"
"Shower and breakfast" he replies. "Not to mention getting ready for the kids to come over. I want it over with as soon as possible. Hopefully I can deal with whatever is bothering Trent." If not, then I will.
SEVERAL HOURS LATER
Thomas has finally come to the end of his story to the children, well edited mind you. Fortunately, the adults that are here can certainly fill in many of the blanks. Unfortunately, I think the girl can too, judging by the way she has to keep stopping herself from asking questions and the way she rolls her eyes at some of the boys' questions.
I've been keeping an eye on the White Ranger, Trent, not wanting him to say or do anything to upset Thomas if I can help it. Though that would be easier if my mate hadn't made me promise not to injure the child before they arrived. For the most part at least he hasn't really said or done anything, however he does seem fairly confused and lost in his thoughts. Fine I'll be nice for Thomas' sake. "What's the matter, Trent?" I ask, drawing everyone's attention to the teen.
He shoots me a glare. "Mind your own business!" Oh this will indeed be fun.
Thomas' hand finds my arm as I rise on instinct to knock the child across the room. His hand keeping me down, his focus however snaps to the White Ranger, his tone is firm. "Trent, I don't care what your problem is, you have no right to be rude to guests in my house - especially for no good reason."
"No good reason?! Seriously, no good reason. Right." The boy stands up and leaves, but Thomas apparently isn't having it this time and follows him.
"Trent!"
The front door is wide open so we can all hear the conversation just off the front porch. "What is wrong with you, Dr. O?"
"What's wrong with me? Are you kidding me, what the hell is wrong with you? You know you can be as mad as you want, but snapping off at someone who could destroy Mesogog with a flick of his wrist is probably about the stupidest thing I've ever seen you do and that includes hiding the fact Anton was Mesogog from us." Do what now?
"I'm not afraid of him." Well then, you are far stupider than I thought. About to wander outside and give him a reason to be afraid of me, I'm halted as it's now the girl who places a firm grip on my arm.
"I know what you want to do, and I'm asking you to please reconsider and give Dr. O a bit more time to find out what his problem is." Looking at me seriously, as she sees I'm about to protest, the young girl continues calmly. "He's not in any danger, he could knock Trent across the yard even without his powers if he wanted to, and if you go interrupt them you know both of them will just turn on you." Damn clever child.
"Fine, but he says anything about my appearance and all bets are off" I inform her truthfully.
"Fair enough."
Turning my attention back to their argument on the porch I hear the White Ranger's rebuttal to something else Thomas has said. "How do you expect me to sit there and listen to you talk about him like he's your best friend after all he's done to you?! How can you defend him on anything? He's your enemy. He's evil." Partly evil.
"No, Trent, he isn't. He was, but he's not any more. Just like I was but I'm not now." There's a pause. "Just like you were. You got a second chance. Why isn't he worthy of one?"
"He kidnapped you!"
"He saved me." Thomas sighs before he speaks again. "Look - there are parts of the story you don't know. Suffice it to say that, without Zedd and the others, I'd probably be dead right now or wishing that I was. For all his faults, and I do agree there are many, Zedd's not a bad man."
"Except that he's made you believe you're something you're not."
"Oh really? What's that?"
"Gay."
"In fairness," Scorpina begins thoughtfully from where she sits beside Goldar "wouldn't the technical Earth term be bisexual since he still has a physical interest in females?" she questions Jason reasonably.
"Probably." The original Red Ranger agrees with a nod. "But I don't think Trent's really thinking in technical terms right now."
"That's not exactly what the situation is" Thomas states apparently thinking along the same lines as Pina now. "First of all I'm not gay, not that it's any of your business, but still. Second, he hasn't made me believe I'm anything but someone who can curtail his sometimes bad behavior more easily than others. And third, you being mad at him because I happen to want to be with him isn't fair."
"That's my point, you shouldn't want to suddenly be with him. Dr. O, I've watched you when we're out in the park or hanging around in town. You are way into females."
"That's true, I am." Ouch. "However Zedd's - the exception to the rule, I guess. Even though I didn't know it, we've been bonded since probably the Green Ranger powers. In a way, we've been meant to be together since then, it just wasn't the right time. I wasn't ready. I'd probably never have been ready and then I got hurt. When I got hurt, it changed everything and allowed us time to actually get to know each other. And if Zedd and I had only been bond mates and nothing more, odds are we'd be out looking for women together as friends." Yeah, grand.
"But that's not what happened and I don't-"
The boy stops short. I have no idea where he's going with this, but after a moment, Thomas does, I think. "Trent, what happened isn't going to happen to you. This isn't the same situation at all. Just because I happen to have a male mate now, doesn't mean that you will. Quite frankly, if I hadn't gotten hurt, I'd have never really gotten to know Zedd and I'd very likely still be hunting for the right woman. I'd never find her, but I'd still be looking."
I hear Conner whisper to the other two, "So - Zedd's the right woman?"
Choked giggles and laughter fill the small space as I shoot an evil look at the boy. I can hear Thomas sigh outside and then go on. "Look, Trent, I'm not perfect and I'm not normal by any measure of the word. I'm just a man, doing the best I can with my life and it's all that anyone can do. You're not even out of high school yet. Don't worry about future mates already. And you won't have to worry about your future mate being Mesogog because he's as good as dead." Not to mention the whole matter with his father being a part of the creature factoring into it. There is silence out front for a long time. "Just think about it, okay?"
"Okay."
"Go ahead and go, but be careful." A couple of minutes later, Thomas comes in, expression unreadable. "I hope that helps" he sighs.
Ignoring the others, I pull him close. "You've done all you can do for now, Thomas. Give him time to think."
"What if he still doesn't come around?"
"Then I kill him" I reply calmly, earning an eyeroll from him, Jason, and the girl. "Fineā¦then I tell his father."
"Now that is evil" Conner mutters.
Thomas turns his attention to the remaining teens. "Any other questions?"
Kira speaks first, her question making me reassess her intelligence. "Yeah, so not be nosy or anything, but how does this work?" She waves her hand, encompassing Thomas and myself. Everyone stares at her incredulously but she doesn't seem to notice.
Under his breath so that I alone can hear him, Thomas mutters, "She better not be asking what I think she's asking."
I look at the girl before giving my mate a shrug and leaning forward seriously. Changing my tone to something one would use with a small child I begin as calmly as one can when put in such a position. "Well, when two people love each other very much-"
"Ah - no! Not what I meant!" the girl cries out, face flaming much like Thomas' does. "Jeez, Zedd, I'm not a complete idiot!"
Conner sighs in relief. "Yeah, no, that would be way more information than we need, thanks."
The Yellow Ranger continues. "All I meant is, well Dr. O isn't exactly passive. He's a pretty dominant male and, from what I've seen, so is Zedd."
"Indeed I am" I agree with grin, once more liking the girl for her clever observation of my superior nature.
"Right, well I would think that would cause more friction than anything." As I raise a brow at this, due to her once again poor choice in wording, I'll give her some credit as she at least seems to catch it herself this time. "Not that kind of friction! God you don't stop do you?"
Unable to hold back I bury my face in Thomas' neck not wishing to burst into uncontrollable laughter at her once more, but unable to help it at the moment, even as I hear her curse and mutter under her breath as she is again a second too late to catch up with the program.
Finally opening my mouth to reply, I'm however silenced as Thomas holds up a hand. "Zedd whatever you're about to say I swear to god you say it and you'll be sleeping in the raptor pen tonight." Spoilsport.
Rolling her eyes at me, the Yellow Ranger makes a final attempt. "Look, all I was asking was, because you're both very aggressive and dominate people, I would think there would be a lot of conflict where a relationship is concerned."
Okay, perhaps the child is more insightful and less stupid than I thought. "Oh, we've had our disagreements" I answer. "And we're both stubborn as hell. But like any couple, we have to work them out. Sometimes I'll give in and sometimes he does. Sometimes we just have to find a third solution. It really just depends. Though the bond does help as we can better judge what the other is feeling."
She seems slightly doubtful, but just nods. Thomas asks, "Why would you even think to ask that, Kira? Where did that come from?"
She raises an eyebrow at him. "Apparently you've forgotten, but I'm taking a psychology class. Oddly enough, we're currently talking about dynamics in couples." Of course they are. "Don't worry. I'm not going to use you guys in my paper."
"I would hope not" Thomas comments dryly.
Conner changes the subject. "So, you do have powers now right? I mean, if Mesogog decides to attack-"
"Even if I didn't, Conner, I'm still a trained martial artist. Remember, I was attacked more than once before I took the Black Ranger powers and I handled myself just fine." Not to mention I'm here as well and like hell if that overgrown lizard is getting his hands on my mate again.
Realizing that Thomas now sounds slightly offended, the current Red Ranger goes on hastily. "Oh, I know, but you know, the boost that the powers gives us helps, not to mention the whole healing thing."
"You don't have to worry about that, Conner. You won't have to try and protect me like you would regular people."
"Good because that would just be weird."
"Right because everything else in our lives right now is so normal" the Blue Ranger comments sarcastically.
"If there's nothing else, you guys can go for now. Rest and relax while you can." The children swiftly depart, leaving the other four adults, who are now exchanging looks. It's like they are communicating something that the rest of us are being left out of. Thomas notices this as well. "What's going on, guys? Oh, sorry. Did you want to keep them for practice or something? I didn't mean to step on anyone's toes, I just forgot that I'm not in charge of them anymore."
"No, it's not that" Jason says. "It's just, um, look, Tommy. Today's the fifteenth of November."
"And? Oh." Apparently, this date means something to the former human I'm still holding. He sighs. "Yeah, okay. I'll deal with it tomorrow as usual. Thanks for letting me know."
Trini speaks up. "I think Billy and I are going to go now. Call if you need us." Hayley and Jason nod and the couple quickly departs.
Thomas gives me a quick kiss. "I'm going to go start dinner. You can come and keep me company if you want."
"I'll be there in a minute." Once he's out of the room, I turn on the remaining pair of Earthlings. "What's that about?"
They exchange surprised looks. Finally, Jason says, "There's something that Tommy does every year on the sixteenth. If he hasn't told you about it, then there's a reason."
And Jason's not going to tell me. I head for the kitchen, intent on finding out. "Thomas, love-"
"Please don't." I can feel sadness and pain from him. "I don't want to talk about it. I'll go deal with what I have to deal with and then it'll be over."
I bite my lip as I think. "All right, Thomas, I won't ask. But can I go with you?"
"No."
A little hurt, I ask, "Why not?"
"Because you're going to want to talk and I won't want to. I'll get irritated and probably throw you out of the car wherever we are and then you'll be irritated because it'll be a long walk back."
Unfortunately, I can't argue with his logic. Not really one to be silent for long, I know that I probably won't make it past the city limits. "What about someone else?"
"Zedd-"
"Please, Thomas. I realize that you've probably done this alone before, but I'd rather you didn't this time."
"Who the hell would I take?"
Hm, good point. I think for a minute. Obviously, none of his friends will do, as they not only need to be on hand in case of an attack, but are aware of his desire to go by himself. Goldar talks more than I do at times and there's no way he's going to make it the whole way without being thrown out on the side of the road. "Pina."
He considers this as he works. "If she wants to - without you commanding or coercing her - I guess so. But she better understand there will be no talking or I'll put her out on the side of the road."
LATER
We've just climbed into bed and I'm fully expecting him not to want to mate again. Which is fine, sort of. I mean, I'm not going to force him so I'm pleasantly surprised when he leans over me and kisses me firmly. "Thomas?"
"Need you tonight, mate, please." His lips trail down my neck. "Need you to love me." Not one to have to be asked twice where that's concerned, I have us both stripped in a matter of moments.
Swiftly, I roll us over and take the more active role, immediately working on his neck and shoulder. The quiet, breathy moan in my ear makes me shiver. I spend a long time on his torso before I take him in hand. Another soft moan greets my touch. It's kind of arousing, the effort he's putting into being quiet, but it also means that he's thinking too much. Must fix that. I align myself and push forward, pressing my mouth to his as I gain entrance.
The deep groan that he releases into my mouth is certainly louder, even if it is muffled, though it's still a far cry from his normal howls and yells of passion that I've grown accustomed to. His fingers dig into my lower back, pressing me more deeply into him as he shifts, allowing me better access. He tears his mouth away from mine briefly, urgency apparent in his hoarse words. "More, Zedd. Need you so much."
I begin to move, gaining more depth with each stroke. "Stop thinking, Thomas. Let go and just feel, love."
"Trying."
"Stop trying" I instruct, unable to help the slight bit of amusement that creeps into my tone. "You shouldn't have to try to stop thinking, mate." Shifting slightly and determined to get him to let go of whatever is bothering him, at least for a few moments, I think I succeed briefly as I hit that one spot inside him that makes him finally call out my name in his normal volume, not giving a damn who hears. "There we go. Better."
"Yes." The low hiss is immediately followed by a fierce kiss. I hit the pace we both like and he moans into my mouth again. His breathing speeds up and I break to allow him air. Just before he goes over the edge, I press my lips tightly against his once more, allowing him to cry out even as I follow him.
