TOMMY

Once Zedd's out, I turn my attention to Pina. "What do we do?"

She's already examining the jagged piece of metal sticking out of his back. "Dar's gone to get me some things from the ship. I'll take care of him, Tommy. You know I will."

I feel Trini's hand on my arm. "Let me look at your back, Tommy."

I jerk my arm away from her. "The powers will heal me. I'll be fine. I can't leave him." Gently, I run my fingers through his hair, needing to touch him right now.

Pina speaks quietly. "Tommy, you can stay but you have to move over to the other side so I can work. Sit in a chair, hold his hand and let Trini look at your back."

I grab the chair that Billy passes to me, spin it around and straddle the seat with the back in front of me. I take his hand in mine and it worries me how cold his fingers are. Pina catches my worried glance. "It'll be okay, boetie."

I return my focus to my currently out of it mate, speaking to him softly in his native language. My eyes keep straying to the metal that's currently impaling him. How deep is it? Has it hit anything crucial? Finally, Dar arrives with her scanner and some other things. I wait anxiously as she scans the wound.

When she's done, she looks up at me. "He'll be okay, Tommy. He'll heal in a few days. It's not that deep. I just have to be careful about getting it out since it's pressing against a nerve bundle. Because of the size of it, though, he's going to need stitches."

I sag in relief, a sob escaping me. I only allow myself that one, though. I don't want my distress - or the release of it - to bring him back around too soon. With sure hands, Pina removes the scrap and rapidly stitches and bandages him. "When he wakes up-"

"You may take him to your room. I'd prefer if he stays in bed the rest of today and tomorrow, but knowing him, I'll settle for today." Pina comes around and examines my own injuries. "And you too, please. We'll bring you up some dinner later so that you both can continue to REST. And yes, that means no mating."

Face reddening as I realize that there are far too many ears here that I'd rather not have heard that, I answer back, "I'm not an idiot, Pina."

"That's more for him than you. Make sure you tell him I said so." I nod at her and return my attention to Zedd and waiting not so patiently for him to wake up.

At one point in my vigil, I look up to find Trent's watching me. I raise an eyebrow at him. His gaze flickers to Zedd and returns to me. He gives me a short nod and a small smile before he heads in to where the raptors are. His acceptance makes me feel a bit better as I don't want things to stay awkward. I still want the kids to feel like they can come around and visit - even without Ranger business to discuss and deal with. I still have to decide what to do with the raptors, the lair and the house, but that'll keep for a while.

I'm fighting sleep myself when Zedd stirs, bringing me back. As his eyes open, I smile in relief and reassurance as I run my fingers through his hair. "Welcome back."

He moans in pain. "Thomas, are you all right?"

"We both need some rest to deal with our injuries, kalleimat, but we'll be okay. Can you help me get you upstairs to the bed?"

"Think so." Twenty minutes later, three hisses of pain and a couple of curses later, I finally have him undressed and settled into bed. A quick run to the bathroom myself, a look at my back - which makes me cringe - and I settle in next to my mate. Unable to curl up with him as usual, I take his hand and press a kiss to it before I fall asleep myself.